Pastor Chris Mills opens up with his exposition of 1 Peter 1, first breaking down Peter's greeting and description of himself as an apostle- messenger of CHRIST's word unto HIS people- and how this could be easily dismissed as typical, but seen, and taken, much deeper and serious as we ought as well. That he is writing to brethren who, under some form of persecution, have been dispersed and are undergoing trials ( from Babylon, possibly Roman empire who under Nero, saw some of the worst forms of persecution) for their faith. He points out that those who profess CHRIST are aliens, sojourners, in this world but not of it, and as such, long to be home, where CHRIST is, but as we are called out to be here, we do so in obedience and love to HIS word and will, proclaiming the gospel, knowing we have been bought with a price- CHRIST's own blood- and are carried along and sanctified by the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT. And all of this was ordained, decreed, of the foreknowledge of GOD, before the foundations of the world, because before HE even breathed into existence the universe, HE knew us, intimately knew us. And this very sobering, beautiful, and awesome truth shows HIS grace and brings the believer peace and rest in our assurance of HIS great love in salvation towards us. |
