The opening verses of the first chapter of 1 Peter are so chock full of theology that I could spend multiple blog posts on them alone. In verse 1, Peter addresses himself as Peter, not Simon, acknowledging Christ’s calling on his life (Matthew 16:18). He also identifies himself as an Apostle, one called and sent by God to do his work and spread his message. Peter then reveals the state of the Christians at that time: exiles (ESV), strangers (KJV), aliens (NASB). However, before he does that, he identifies the scattered believers with a term that explains why they (and all believers after them) could have the confidence to move on through the trials they were facing. He distinguishes his fellow believers as “elect” (1 Peter 1:1). The early church was exiled not primarily because it was rejected by the culture. It was exiled because it was chosen by God. John Piper, in a sermon on 1 Peter 1 declared, “The main meaning of your exile is that God chose you out of the world. Not man’s rejection, but God’s election is the main meaning of your life.”
1 Peter is a letter of encouragement to the first century church. At the time it was written, Rome was trying to eradicate this sect that was perceived as dangerous to her emperor. Christians were being martyred on a regular basis, and the church was scattered throughout the world. However, Peter and the other apostles were steadfast in their belief because they walked with Christ, saw him killed, and witnessed his resurrection. They weren’t about to denounce what they knew first hand to be true. And, fueled by the power of the Holy Spirit, they encouraged their fellow believers to act in kind.
The origin of our election is God himself (1 Peter 1:2). The realization of our election occurs through our sanctification, God’s work in our lives to make us more and more like Christ (2 Peter 3:18). And the purpose of our election is to bring us to salvation and obedience to Jesus Christ, who is glorified. (1 Peter 1:2).
For many today, like in the early church, election is not an easy road. Charles Spurgeon said in his sermon on 1 Peter, “One sure result of divine election is the world’s enmity.” When we feel discouraged as believers, when we tire of swimming against the current of culture, we turn to God’s word for reminders of his omnipresence and sovereignty, and of our glorious future as citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20). Listen to what Peter had to say about the elect:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy , he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3-5)
When trials come, when weariness encroaches, when doubt niggles and carps, these words should lift us out of despair and shift our gaze from the corporeal struggle to the absolute assurance that if we have submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, right now, there is an inheritance being kept and guarded for us in our native country, waiting for the day when we finish our race here on earth. That is literal, certain, and utterly trustworthy.
What exactly does this heavenly inheritance look like? The Bible gives us glimpses. We know that it is sealed with the promise of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:11-14 and 2 Corinthians 1:22). It is perfectly preserved, and cannot be stolen or ruined (Matthew 6:19-20). It is fixed, and the affirmation is that our names are written in a book in heaven (Revelation 21:27). We will live forever in a city that was built by God himself (Hebrews 11:10). A literal, perfect, and physical place like nothing we have ever seen or imagined. Because we have been chosen by the Creator of the universe and the Savior of our souls, we will have eternal life in his Kingdom, as his subjects, dearly loved and known to our core. Part of our inheritance means living alongside other believers in this dazzling bejeweled city (Revelation 21:19). Every person we’ve ever known who are among the elect will share in this inheritance with us, though we will all receive it in full. All those gatherings with family and friends we wished would never end simply won’t. We will have the fullness of God forever, in a place with no tears, no pain, no separation, no want, or need, or disappointment, and no death (Revelation 21:3-4). Our relationship with the Triune God will be redeemed and restored, and we’ll live in complete unity with him forever.
Peter understood this well:
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith-more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire-may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, and the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:6-9)
The knowledge of our election should incite great humility and result in compassionate, empathy-fueled love for others. The greatness of our position must not bring about boasting, but utter prostration before such a massive weight of glory. Our posture toward unbelievers, even and especially hostile ones, must be one of love, service, and self-denial (Matthew 5:39-42). In this way, we model Christ crucified. If a non-believer responds by accepting Christ’s offer of salvation, we have modeled Christ resurrected! Since our inheritance is sure, our witness should be as well, in the strength of Christ, and to his glory alone.