ELECTION FROM GOD WITH GRACE AND AN INHERITANCE

Election from God with grace and an inheritance

Peter was an Apostle of Jesus Christ. He was writing to five different places scattered around the world in his day. He refers to them as strangers.

The Apostle then gets right into the meat of the word of God. This was a man that did not waste to much time in his writing style which was very specific and to the point. He starts out by saying to the elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father. Notice he writes about this subject of election associated with God the Father but gets very detailed that it is through sanctification of the Spirit but only unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. He desired to give them a detailed hello by saying grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. Peter did not just want them to have these gifts from God but "Multiplied."

The Apostle then goes vertical by saying blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and adds according to His abundant mercy has given us again a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. In light of this victory because the Son of God rose on the third day we were able to have spiritual birth and live in the Person of Jesus Christ.

He explains that we have an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled. This will not fade away because it is reserved for us in heaven.

Peter says we as believers in Jesus Christ are kept by the power of God through faith to salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. This was another way of the Apostle talking about protection. I hear all the time people saying that they want to be protected but who better to do this than Jesus Christ.

Let me just quote the original text so you can read the passage and perhaps make reference to it in this particular study of the Bible.

(1) "PETER, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pon'tus, Ga - la' tia, Cap-pa-do'ci-a, A'sia, and Bi - thyn' i - a, (2) Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. (3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (4) To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, (5) Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Peter 1: 1 - 5.

The author is Peter and Jesus did give him this surname which signifies a rock for his commendation of his faith. Since he was an Apostle that was the highest office in the church. The people that Peter was writing to were poor and persecuted. Many were forced to leave their countries but never judges us on our external condition.

First Peter writes about election. There are three truths that this could mean which would be an office, enjoyment of special privileges or salvation. Election is to be according to the foreknowledge of God. Perhaps Peter was writing about the foresight or understanding that such a truth will be a reality in a person's life. This is not the cause and effect of an individual's salvation in Jesus Christ but right now we are just focusing on the meaning of the passage. This could also mean counsel, appointment and approbation. An example would be the death of Jesus Christ was foreseen and foreordained. Election always involves counsel, ordination and the free grace of God. The Father or the first Person of the Trinity is intently involved in the redemption of people which is election to reconcile people to His Son Jesus Christ and the sanctification to the Holy Spirit. Then the Bible says unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.

There are two divine realities this person must possess and that is every elect person must be sanctified by the Spirit and justified by the blood of Jesus Christ. Sanctification is living for God with obedience and as a result the author of "Sanctification" who is the Holy Spirit will give us His indwelling presence in us as believers in Jesus Christ. If you are disobedient to God you want to do everything possible to come back in right fellowship with God. This is the purification of the soul.

When the Bible talks about the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Peter is going back to the law in the Old Testament. The blood of Jesus Christ is our all sufficient sacrifice but this must be sprinkled to every one of these elect Christians. If we are chosen to eternal life through Jesus Christ we are called to a life of obedience. The two go hand in hand. This particular passage is very direct regarding this issue. First this person has to be sanctified by the Spirit and sprinkled with the blood of Jesus and then and only then is it possible for him or her to walk in obedience to God.

At the end of verse two Peter gives the salutation to his readers. He wishes them grace and peace. Grace is the free favor of God. When we receive the peace of God it is imputed to our spirit and placed in our conscience. The Apostle desires the perfection of both in their lives on a consistent daily basis because he says he wants these two divine gifts to be multiplied. We can not top grace and peace being multiplied in our lives. Notice the order because first we receive the grace of God and then peace gently follows for closure in our spirit.

When this passage in verse three says the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ focus on (1) Lord (2) Jesus (3) Christ. Here are three names of one Person showing us His threefold office. He is Lord because He is a universal King. He is Jesus because He is our Priest or Savior. Christ is referring to His office as a prophet.

There is a term in verse three that says ... "Hath begotton us again." Remember right before it says according to His abundant mercy; therefore, I think it is obvious that because of this truth we should be extremely thankful to God. The fruit intended for us as His children is excellent grace with hope of the firm foundation that Jesus Christ did rise from the dead on the third day so this same victorious power lives inside us in our spirit. It is way better than giving into this antichrist spirit of this world which is nothing but compromise and eventually if not stood up against will lead into a society completely out of control. Remember the Bible already says Jesus Christ is going to be the winner in the end and this anti God spirit will lose so which side do you want to be on in the end? Our condition or circumstances might be bad but we still have uncountable reasons to praise God as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are accepted through the Son of God so we should give our gratitude to the abundant mercy of God through His Son Jesus Christ in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Think about what I just wrote, "Abundant mercy of God." This sounds great in a world where very few people care about God or individuals that pass them by every day of their lives. 

The evil in this world is from sin but if there is any good that comes out in this mess it is because of the abundant mercy of God. This is why we should see this principle as important because if we for all practical purposes throw out the mercy of God we do not understand our salvation in Jesus Christ. We were regenerated through the Lamb of God and because of this we have a lively hope of eternal life in Him. We have spiritual life so we should have spiritual hope in Jesus Christ. This hope should quicken us and our eyes and heart should be on God. If we put our hope in the unregenerate which is vain we will perish and both will die together. This is why the resurrection of Christ is the foundation of our hope. We have union with Jesus Christ but rise because of His resurrection.

In verse four the Apostle Peter goes on to explain our inheritance. When we became born again in Jesus Christ we received a new inheritance. We should never forget what is reserved for us in heaven because that is our eternal destiny. Everybody receives abilities but this inheritance is only for His true children. We did not work our way into this or purchase it because the inheritance is a gift from God the Father because it is the effect of His grace. It is incorruptible because this reservation in heaven is from God. Corruption is when we are bad and even become worse but Paradise never changes and it is without end because our real home is eternal in the heavens. It is undefiled because sin and misery do not exist in this Planet. It will never fade away because it will always retain it's beauty and there is a reservation for us with our name written in the Lamb's book of life. 1 Peter 1:3 says this is for everyone that is begotten again to a lively hope.

The Apostle Peter knew some would doubt this hope. After all it is only human nature. Part of his answer is we should abstain from all destructive temptations in life. Another point in verse five he writes about preservation. We are kept by the author who is God because of our true faith in Jesus Christ. As a result the grace of God takes effect in our life and our inheritance is reserved for us in heaven.

If you do not know the Lord isn't it comforting to know that God desires you to come to His Son so you can have an inheritance reserved for you in heaven? Now may be a good time for you to accept Jesus Christ into your heart as your personal Savior and Lord by repenting of all your sins and inviting the Son of the Living God into your life. It is better to have the grace and peace of God than the deception of the world and the ruin of sin in our lives. I hope and pray you just made that life changing eternal decision.

God Bless you,

Bob D. 

A STUDY IN CONTRAST PART ONE

A study in contrasts Part One

The rapture of the Church is very near but I am not saying it is tonight. It might be but what I am trying to portray is we are in the general vicinity of the Blessed Hope. Most of humanity is on the brink of eternity. The average person does not realize this because they are so caught up in their own life. I know I have spoken to people about a wide range of topics on the Bible and the next day they became the same old, "I do not really care kind of a person." Most people don't give a whole lot of regard for their afterlife. That by the way starts in this life. This article is called, "A study in contrasts." The reason for the lack of thought is because the average individual does not know some of the contrasts between God and the devil.

After the rapture of the Church a seven year tribulation will begin when the peace covenant is confirmed. Daniel 9: 27. According to the book of Revelation over 50% of the population of the world will die in this time period. I believe it will be 59 percent so as you can see life on this planet will not be very becoming. This is why I titled the article, "A study in contrasts" because people in general really do not know their options.

If you were to take a personal survey as to whether people care about their eternity more than likely in one way or another the results will be apathy regarding this subject. Satan is having a field day when he sees this because people end up rejecting Jesus Christ.

I want to give some of the passages that talk about eternal life through Jesus Christ but I also desire to list verses that describe the other side if a person rejects Jesus Christ in one way or another.

Now is the time you want to accept Jesus Christ into your heart if you have not already done so and live for Him in obedience. The other way will be complete and total despair. This is what the Bible teaches. Let me show you some contrasts in the word of God. Society is kind of streamlined but eternity is not.

Jesus said, "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." John 4:14. Jesus does not want us to thirst but have everlasting life through Him.

If we reject Jesus Christ our thirst will never be satisfied because the Bible says, "Send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame." Luke 16:24. Notice the rich man only wanted a finger of water. That is how bad his torment was in an environment that was completely void of mercy. If some kind of comfort or mercy existed in hell he probably would have asked for a glass of water. I never heard anybody ask for a finger of water. Jesus was trying to make a point.

Jesus Christ offers us everlasting life but Satan will always leave us thirsty and lingering in our suffering. Do not reject Jesus Christ in any way because He desires to give ...."Him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."

John 3:16 says God loves people and wants an individual to believe in Him so they will not perish. "For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world: but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:17.

Satan not only wants your soul condemned into Hell but desires to accuse you because the Bible says, "For the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night." Revelation 12:10.

Jesus Christ became our sacrifice when He died on the cross. Satan wants you to be the sacrifice. What I found out is almost nobody understands that anybody who goes to hell is a sacrificial lamb for the devil. They rejected the Sacrificial Lamb in one way or another who is Jesus Christ. As you can see there is a lot at stake because this is our eternity not a 50 year sentence. A confined verdict would be really bad but forever is beyond horror.

When Jesus talked to the Samaritan women at the well He did not accuse her but told the lady that the way of salvation was through Him. She was so convicted that she embraced the love of Jesus Christ and became the greatest soul winner in her town.

In the Bible Jesus is described as the Light. "And the Light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." John 1:5. Jesus is the Light and He wants us walking in the Light. The Light is Jesus Christ Himself.

The devil wants you not only living in darkness but can not wait for you to go to a place of outer darkness. "These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever." 2nd Peter 2:17. Jude says ... "For whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever." Jude 1:13. This darkness is evil because it is separated from Jesus Christ. "But the wicked shall be silent in darkness." 1 Samuel 2:9.

Until Part Two God bless,

Bob D.     

A STUDY IN CONTRAST PART TWO

A study in contrasts Part Two

Jesus Christ is the Light. This is His Holiness and love. The darkness is fear and torment. Matthew 15:30. Look at all the different people with problems that went to Jesus Christ. "Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them, and healed them." Luke 4:40. Notice this verse says Jesus did not turn anyone down. He has compassion.

Satan does not have compassion. He torments. "And ought not this women, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day." Luke 13:16. The devil had no intention in releasing her from any pain or agony. In fact Satan desired to put Simon in knots. "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat." Luke 22:31. Did you ever see wheat being sifted?

Jesus desires to make us whole. Satan wants to tear us up. "But Jesus turned him about, and when He saw her, He said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the women was made whole from that hour." Matthew 9:22. So many people that were around Jesus when He walked on the earth knew and understood that they could become whole through Jesus Christ. "And besought Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole." Matthew 14:36.

Satan has a different motive and idea in mind. "Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you to pieces, and there be none to deliver." Psalm 50:22.

When Satan saw Jesus heal people in His name he must have been really upset. 1 Samuel 2:10 says, "The adversaries of the Lord shall be broke in pieces." He does not want anyone being made whole through Jesus Christ because he wants to destroy you. I can not even count the testimonies of people that went to hell, came back to tell their story and had a body part literally torn off of their body. That is what this Bible verse says so when real people explain what they saw and experienced and it matches the Word of God take this message serious.

If the Word of God is presented to you, the devil is right there to steal it from you so he can ultimately tear you up. "And theses are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediatly, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts." Mark 4:15.

Jesus loves people. The devil hates us. The Apostle Paul did a great job in portraying through the penned Word of the Holy Spirit how much God really does love us." Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:39. There is another side to this.

We are free in Jesus Christ. He gives us true riches. "In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." Ephesians 1:7. "But my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Jesus Christ." Phil 4:19. We are truly rich in Jesus Christ. As His children we do not know all the freedoms we have in Him.

If there is a remnant that is free in Jesus Christ then of course there are the masses in bondage. I only say this because the Bible teaches this horrible truth. "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leatheth unto life, and few there be that find it." Matthew 7:14. If a person gets confined to Hell, "His soul draws near the pit, and his life to the executioners." Job 33:22. "Let us swallow them up alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down to the pit." Proverbs 1:12. A pit is not freedom but confinement.

There are so many examples I could probably give you but I will just show one more contrast. God gives us trials for the purpose of teaching His children His love for us but Satan persecutes us for the reason of defeating our spirit.

"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perished, though it tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:7. When we have faith in God through our trials this gives praise, honor and glory to Jesus Christ.

Satan has a different approach toward our trials. He tries to capitalize on them. "Above all, the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." Ephesians 6:16. As you can see we need to have strong faith in Jesus Christ because the devil is attacking our life.

These are some biblical facts of opposite contrasting truths. Jesus Christ is righteous and loves us so much that comprehension is impossible. Satan hates you and wants to confine your spirit in darkness. The choice is obvious. Jesus Christ should be our Savior and Lord.

After reading these contrasts our choice should be pretty clear. Accepting Jesus Christ and living for Him is my only choice. The other choice would be unthinkable. If I feel myself drifting away from God I always do my best to allow the Holy Spirit to bring me back into the yoke of Jesus Christ.

God bless you,

Bob D.