Chosen But Not Forgotten (1 Peter 1:1-2; Proverbs 14:30)
“I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace.” (1 Peter 1:1-2)
“A peaceful heart. leads to a healthy body; jealousy is
like cancer in the bones” (Proverbs 14:30)
After the Apostle Peter introduces himself, he reminds these
believers that they are foreigners where they live. He does not necessarily remind them of this
as a put-down, but as a state to be proud of.
You are foreigners suggest that you belong to someone else. You have obtained the priceless position of “chosen
people” belonging to God, being holy by his Holy Spirit.
This valuable position has placed us as subject of obedience
by our own volition and even better we have Jesus Christ who is forever
praised.
With all of this, he prays a blessing over them, a blessing
of grace and more grace. A grace without
which we cannot live. Oh, how little do
we know about his grace. A grace without
which we cannot live a foreigner in the land.
A grace by which we have been chosen and cannot be taken for granted
because it is so precious. I have known
that Grace already much because it has carried me through valleys that none of
you know about. Valleys of depressions
and death, I can say almost that this grace which belongs entirely to God has
even brought me back to life and I am not exaggerating. The thoughts of suicide were very real but so
was the victorious blood of Christ that has brought me through some agonizing
torture. So, if you are enduring such a trouble,
I pray for you that your grace will be more and more and that God’s peace will
come in your heart. That peace is what
makes your body healthy. That peace
should be sought after. It is like a
treasure in your heart.
This peace means truly the end of false pretense and search
for the Truth because with this peace comes Truth and satisfaction in life.
The careful attention of the Good Shepherd will lead you where
is Peace is and you will be protected wherever you will go. (Psalm 23)
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