Elected by God.

Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. ^{1st Peter 1:2}

We are the “elect,” being known by God before the beginning of time. God planned our salvation; Jesus purchased our salvation, and the Holy Spirit applies it, regenerating our spirit to make us alive. The “sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ” is the new covenant of our obedience and God’s forgiveness.

An incomprehensible inheritance awaits us.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  ^{1st Peter 1:3-5}

We praise God because by his grace and mercy, we are born again (our spirit regenerated from dead to alive) to the sure hope of salvation, affirmed by the resurrection of Jesus. We look to the promise of our inheritance – eternal life, heirs to the Kingdom of God. A secure inheritance, never to diminish or fade away. We are protected by the power of God to realize this, as Jesus will lose no one that the Father has given him. Our salvation is assured.

Faith Tested.

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. ^{1st Peter 1:6-9}

This life is a test. Trials challenge our faith, trust, and belief in Jesus Christ. We will face these trials our whole lives, and those who endure will be honored and glorified when Jesus returns to take us out of this world. We will avoid God’s wrath and be received as his children forever in paradise. Therefore, we live with “joy unspeakable” because of our belief in things not seen and our confident hope in God’s promises.

Strive to be disciplined and holy.

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; ^{1st Peter 1:13-15}

Work diligently to be in control, stay alert, and be ready for spiritual action. Be aware and engaged; obedient, striving to be holy, resisting the desires of your old, unredeemed self. Keep the end goal in mind: being in the presence of Jesus, and let that reality shape and guide your behavior.

Redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: ^{1st Peter 1:18-19}

Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for each of us. We were not redeemed with corruptible things such as lineage, tradition, or reliance on our good works.

The word of God endures forever.

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. ^{1st Peter 1:23}

The word of God, the good news of Jesus Christ, brings salvation. The truth of God’s word is alive and endures forever. But man’s wisdom is like a flower; in time, it withers and fades away.

We are a holy nation.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. ^{1st Peter 2:9-10}

We enjoy the privilege of being chosen to be God’s holy nation, a unique people, a royal priesthood, forgiven and called into the truth of his light. We are God’s children, sanctified and set apart from the world in a dramatic way. 

Christ is our example.

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop (guardian) of your souls. ^{1st Peter 2:21-25}

Christ is our perfect example – guiltless, persecuted, who suffered wrongfully but committed himself to his Father. By his pain and death in substitutional atonement, we are made righteous and spiritually alive (healed); saved from the wrath of God to come. We were lost sheep, but are now guided and guarded by our good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.

Living the good life.

For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile (deceit): Let him eschew (avoid) evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. ^{1st Peter 3:10-12}

The good life is found when the precepts and tenets of God are embraced and demonstrated. Keep your conversation loving, as what you say reveals what you are. Strive to be good, living by the word of God, and aim to be a peacemaker among men.  The good life is found in obedience to Christ, and not in the empty pursuits of the world. Money, power, sex, pride, and domination are not the way to the good life. Pursuing the enticements of the world leads to misery both in this life and forever in eternal damnation. God watches over his children and hears their prayers, but does not consider the prayers and pleas of those who live for their own pleasure.

Be ready to explain and defend your hope in Jesus.

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: ^{1st Peter 3:15}

Live for God, and when your testimony causes those who see your good behavior to ask why, be ready to give them the answer. Be a witness to the good news of Jesus Christ and engage with gentle kindness and respect.

Be diligent in your faith, for the end is near.

But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. ^{1st Peter 4:7}

Knowing that the return of Christ is imminent, we are to be in control and alert. We strive to live our lives in a manner that is pleasing to God, as we know that we will be standing before Christ at any time now.

Endless testing in this mortal life.

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.  ^{1st Peter 4:12-13}

Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. ^{1 Peter 4:19}

Expect “fiery” trials or tough tests in this life. But rejoice in the suffering, the testing, and the discomfort (as Jesus did) because when we mature in trials and pass these tests, we will “be glad with exceeding joy” when Christ returns. Commit your life to Jesus and live in grateful obedience, then the outcome of your judgment will be eternal life and rewards.

God favors the humble.

Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. ^{1 Peter 5:5}

Be humble and subject to one another. God favors the humble and crushes the proud.

Assurance and Comfort from God.

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. ^{1 Peter 5:6-11}

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God – to humble yourself is to be submissive and obedient to God. The scriptures are clear that God abhors arrogance and pride. His “mighty hand” is the righteous power and authority he wields.

that he may exalt you in due time – God will lift you up at the proper time, after you have been tested, according to his will.

casting all your care (anxiety) on him, because he careth for you – Give all your trouble in this world to God because he loves you, and all things work for the ultimate good for those who love him.

be sober, be vigilant – be calm, clear-minded, practice self-control, be focused on God, be alert to your surroundings and situation, and seek and follow the will of God.

your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour – know that Satan is at work to destroy you and all that you love – he will devour you. He also wants to ruin your testimony.

resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. Resist Satan by being vigilant in your faith (abiding in the word of God) and in obedience to God. Take heart that all Christians experience the same suffering while here on earth.

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. Our suffering here on earth is temporary, and the result of endurance in reliance on God is:

• To Perfect – make us complete by maturing us, repairing us, equipping us.
• To Establish – put us on a solid footing.
• To Strengthen – we come out of trials stronger, being reliant on God, we can endure anything. ^{Philippians 4:13}
• To Settle – to confirm, approve, and give us peace.