“To Those Who Are Elect Exiles”

Peter’s first epistle is addressed “to those who are elect exiles” (1 Pet. 1:1). The description “elect exiles” tells two important things. First: in regard to God these Christians are the elect, His chosen ones — in God’s mind, heart and plan from the beginning. Second: in regard to this world, they are aliens, dispersed, not honored, outcasts. 

In the second verse (1 Pet. 1:2), Peter gives the how and why of this relationship with God and the world. It is:

“ACCORDING to the foreknowledge of God the Father” 

Chosen in Christ as His, but rejected by the world is God’s eternal plan. We cannot change the nature of the relationship of His people to this world any more than we can it with Him. 

“IN the sanctification of the Spirit” 

This relationship is in holiness—a way separated from this world—as God has revealed by the Spirit. 

“FOR obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood”

This is done for us to obey Jesus and the cleansed from our sin in His blood. 

For this great task of a sanctified obedience and closeness to Christ, but separated from the world we live in, we have been given abundance grace. As this verse ends, “May grace and peace be multiplied to you.”