Apostle Peter here addresses God’s chosen people, as aliens (foreigners). Both these words speak about one who lives in a place without the right of citizenship.  A believer in Christ is a stranger in this world and will be considered an alien, “weird” by the world because he holds a value system which is very different from that of the world. Most people are uncomfortable around strangers because of the difference in their looks, language, customs, beliefs, etc. So are we when we follow the ways of the living God, considered as weird.  Abraham, the Father of Faith looked for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God (Hebrews 11:10). So let the goal of our faith be the salvation of our souls and not position, power, fame, riches, acceptance by men.

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As an encouraging start to commence this process, Peter gives a beautiful depiction of the work done by the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit in 1 Peter 1:2, “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with His blood...”  The “soul,” is that part of man that knows, reasons, wills, desires, and feels.  As explained by Henry Alford, “it is the center of the personal being, the ‘I’ of each individual. It is in each man bound to the spirit, man’s higher part, and to the body, man’s lower part; drawn upwards by the one, downward by the other.”  It needs to be saved from itself. The process for this to happen is given in 1 Peter 1:6-9 where all the dross is burnt away, and you are found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; for He is the glory of God.

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1 Peter 1:3-4 read: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you…” God has called us to a LIVING HOPE! All who have by faith believed and received Christ and His finished work for them on the cross by which they are saved to eternal life, has this living hope in them! Salvation is a gift of God – “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  (Eph.2:8-9)

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Dear Readers, we have all seen the “Buy one and get one free” deals that the stores offer.  But the gift of God is free! It is a better offer for it is: “ Take what is already bought for you for free!”  You do not have to work for it, neither do you have to purchase it.  All you have to do is accept this truth by believing God i.e. in the death, resurrection, and glorification of Jesus Christ; for believing this truth is the only way to everlasting life!

Think on:

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.  It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ...”

Titus 2:11-13