Swept Away by Grace-A Study of I Peter Part 1—Blessed, Chosen Pilgrims
When wondering where we should travel next in our studies, I suddenly this morning began reading I Peter and was swept away by Grace. I wanted to run ahead and include every verse of I Peter at once; yet, I realized that we need to savor every word of this letter. So, I have determined that we shall go through this book; one part at a time. At the same time we must also see the whole without forgetting to view it within the context. Thus I urge you to go and to read I Peter Chapter one in its entirety with prayer for understanding.
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If ever along this journey you have felt like a weary pilgrim, rise up and be swept away by God’s Grace to the mountaintops of Love and Joy that He has planned for you.
Let us begin with verses 1-2.
I Peter 1(NIV):1 “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout …2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.”
Have you ever felt like an exile in this world? At work, listening to conversations around you, do you ever feel like you don’t belong? Or at school, do you ever feel misunderstood or like an alien because of your position in Christ? Do you ever feel an underlying restlessness that everything here is but a pilgrimage to your real home? If so this book of I Peter is written for you. We are pilgrims here; yet, we are God’s blessed and chosen. It is by Grace, that we have been chosen “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father.” We have been sanctified by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. I am unable to perform that sanctifying myself and must need the Holy Spirits work within me to be transformed. Christ has provided the way of my salvation and through his redemptive work on the cross, I was saved. It has been the work of the Father in calling me, the son in redeeming me and the Holy Spirit in sanctifying me. This is not because of any work that I have done; but, wholly and completely due to Grace and Mercy. Do you know Christ as your Savior? Do you hear the gentle voice of God, calling you? If so, come. And for all you dear Christians whom feel the pilgrimage as too heavy and burdensome, take heart you are the chosen, redeemed of Christ. In that truth you can freely and fully enjoy the wondrous Glory here on earth as well as one day when you stand before Him. Have you not noticed that the simplest of meals tastes like a heavenly feast when you have with fullness of heart blessed it and then eaten it very slowly, savoring each morsel? Have you not noticed that the manner in which gazing at a sunrise or a beautiful scene of nature while praising God who created it causes your spirit to rise with hope? The gracious pleasure that God bestows to us of family and friends becomes a overflowing fountain of God’s great love toward us as we praise Him for each and everyone He has provided to us. Even so, the majesty of a thunderous storm proclaims God’s power and might causing you to rejoice in His Grace toward you. The majestic sign of the rainbow proclaims His grace as we note the bow points into heaven where His son paid the price for each of us. Are you not swept away by such magnificent Grace.
Sing along—Grace Greater Than All Our Sin
New International Version (NIV)
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© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba
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