The Joy of Being Chosen

"Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure."

My young singles small group just started a study of First Peter last night and, two verses into the letter, my heart is already overwhelmed with joy. The saint who speaks his mind, Peter addressed his letter to Jewish Christians in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) who were, by their new faith in Christ, now even bigger "aliens" to their hometowns. It was tough enough being Jews in a Gentile world, but now they were Christians, which made them aliens (lit. "strangers") to both Jew and Gentile alike. How disheartening that would've been!

But they were not worthless because of their new faith. And in the midst of whatever persecution they faced, they were not forgotten by the God who saved them. No, they were special to God. And He was actively working in their lives.

I love the fact that Peter tells these young believers that they were "chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father." It was no accident or coincidence that the Gospel was preached to many of them in Jerusalem at Pentecost (see Acts 2:9-11). And it was no accident or coincidence that their hearts were receptive to the message. God looked, in His foreknowledge, upon them and chose them to become sons of God through faith in Christ. They were special to Him!

God considers you and I to be His special treasure, his beloved possession. Throughout Scripture, we see that God calls people to Himself out of His love for them with the intention of blessing them (see Deut. 7:6-9, Romans 9:17, Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12). All of this brings Him glory by displaying His mercy and love. He chose us to be special — set apart by the power of the Holy Spirit — to grow in our obedience to the commands of Jesus and be continually cleansed from all sin and guilt (Heb. 10:22).

He chose us to be free from guilt! How awesome is that! Who doesn't want to have a clean conscience?

In the midst of our times of suffering, when we tend to feel the most alone, the most rejected, the most unloved, God has not rejected you and me. He chose US to be His special treasure, His beloved possession, free from the weight of sin and guilt, and with the intention of growing into a stronger relationship with Him.

You are not rejected and alone. He is with you. He has chosen you by name. You are loved.

May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure!

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