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Scripture Text
1 Peter 1:2a “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father”
Introduction
Last time we discussed the foreknowledge of God. Now it is time to examine the “Elect”.
The Elect
Let’s turn our attention to the word “Elect”. By way of definition it means what you think, to pick or to choose. We are familiar with elections; we will cast ballots to elect a president among other offices. Spiritually speaking, we also choose whom we shall serve. Does God know the actual number of those who will accept the gift of God and go to heaven? According to the foreknowledge of God the answer is yes. This does not mean that God forced one to be saved or prevented another; it simply means God looked forward in time and was able to see every person’s decisions and know who will accept Him. Peter calls them the chosen; but how did he know they were the elect?, by the foreknowledge of God. If you will remember Jesus said he knew all along that Judas was the betrayer. Jesus knew Judas would sell him out before he actually went to the Jewish leaders and bargained for 30 pieces of silver. In John 13:21 Jesus said at the last supper “one of you shall betray me”. How else could Jesus know this other than foreknowledge?
Romans chapter 8 provides insight into the foreknowledge of God. There is a statement made in verse 29 “…For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate…” Paul’s thought starts before the quote in scripture I give and continues after so you need to read the chapter to make sure this thought, or any thought, is in context.
Will everyone agree with what I just said? No, but that is the great thing about America, you have the right to be wrong. (That was a joke by the way)
Whosoever Will
You might be wondering why I am making such a big deal out of this. I am not interested in inflammatory rhetoric here, I know there is more than one opinion on this subject. I assert that God’s foreknowledge allows Him to know who will accept Him but that does not take the word “whosoever” out of John 3:16. Jesus died for all and that extended invitation will continue until Jesus returns.
By the foreknowledge of God He knows about the Sunday School teachers that will help the children to understand, He knows about the missionaries that are willing to go to all parts of the world, He knows about those prayer warriors who pray for lost souls and He knows about all the generations of Christians that were willing to let their light shine before the lost. God was able to see it all and know who the “Elect” would be based upon the submission of Christians to be used of God, the blood of Jesus and the power and demonstration of the Holy Ghost.
Closing Remarks
God the Father sent God the Son to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. God also instituted the great commission… Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned… Mark 16:15-16
God allows each one of us a choice to accept or reject Him. If we go to heaven it will be because we accepted the invitation of God and believed in Jesus Christ accepting him as Lord and Savior. What will you do with Jesus? I don’t know, but God does.
Until Night,
A Servant
Servants' Journal 
Heidi Viars
March 6, 2014 at 7:39 am
Last night my oldest tried to show me how some of his Honors Chemistry homework. I have to tell you, though I was not too bad in school, I was completely lost. I often feel like that when it comes to these kind of questions. Here is how I have explained this to myself…
A couple of years ago I took up walking. I drive to a nearby Conference Center which is set off a busy, main road, behind a large gate. Early in the morning I drive in, park my car by the lake, and explore the many paths that are laid out over thousands of acres.
Simply put, my life is a little like that….
God drew my heart off the busy highway of life onto a path with Him. He gave me everything I needed to make this choice of “driving in” and “exploring His ways” with Him. He foreknew me … “foreloved” me, before the creation of the earth, before all those paths were ever laid. Each day I chose the paths in those woods to take, decide on the roads and adventures I trust Him for.
I also know that he does not delight in the death of the wicked, nor does He want anyone to perish. But He has said that He has mercy on whom He has mercy.
I think our problem comes from viewing our lives deserving of heaven. Maybe if we really understood the concept of sin, we would know that we all are headed for hell. No one is good, not even one.
Do you think, if we really understood this, we would see His incredible mercy rather than wonder why He would allow hell for some?
Sorry (again) for the long response … but what a way to start the day 🙂 THANKS!
A Servant
March 6, 2014 at 7:50 am
I think the greatest truth we can receive is the fact that we are sinners before a Holy God. The next truth is God loved us so much that He provided a way to escape the penalty for sin. The truth that transforms is accepting that precious gift of forgiveness through Jesus Christ our Lord. This provided way is for whosoever will so as I see it God doesn’t send anyone to hell, mankind makes that choice when they reject that free gift.
Yes, I thank God every day for His mercy. Without God’s mercy I would be doomed.
Thank you for sharing this morning.
Heidi Viars
March 6, 2014 at 8:11 am
What a marvelous way to start the day … thinking about our salvation 🙂 Thanks!!!
a_l_henley
March 6, 2014 at 10:04 am
Reblogged this on Intrepid Didymus.
a_l_henley
March 6, 2014 at 10:05 am
I have had this on my mind for a while and your post helped me to better understand the clarification of the elect. Thank you.
A Servant
March 6, 2014 at 10:11 am
Thank you for stopping by. This is a touchy subject so I know not everyone will agree. I’m not trying to stir the pot. My goal is to do a verse by verse study of 1 Peter, this just happens to be in verse two.
Elaine
March 6, 2014 at 3:26 pm
I enjoyed this post, as I do your others. Thank you for the clarification on that word elect. I wish everyone would elect to serve God and not the idols so many serve. We all have idols we serve besides God and I pray constantly to put those idols away and concentrate more on serving the Lord. Being human is not an easy path, is it?
A Servant
March 6, 2014 at 3:33 pm
Elaine, I hope you are having a great day. The post this morning is one of those subjects that can cause substantive discussion. It is part of the chapter so I covered it.
Thanks for your support.
Elaine
March 6, 2014 at 3:49 pm
You’re welcome! I was just thanking God for all the blessings I get through reading many of the blogs I follow, in addition to His word itself and the devotionals I read most every day as well. Your blog is if course included in that list! Having a great day and wish the same for you.
Steven Paul, a Christ follower...
March 6, 2014 at 4:39 pm
You speak the truth in what you have posted here! A very well done job…praise to God for “a servant” like you!
Steven
A Servant
March 6, 2014 at 4:46 pm
Thank you brother. I do my best to study and seek God’s face in preparing. I also know that this particular subject is touchy and there are other views. I appreciate the support.
Steven Paul, a Christ follower...
March 7, 2014 at 12:31 pm
You are right, there may be several viewpoints on any religious subject, this has always been true. But of course the only one that counts is God’s view…
The challenge is in how to get His messages across to the highest number of people. This is where the talent and preparation of the writer comes in.
And then, everything else is up to God…
Keep preaching, brother!
Steven
limbiley
March 7, 2014 at 6:17 am
Great teaching yet again on the word elect,contuine on this good work that you have,it’s surely not by accident that I and so many others found your blog.
God bless.
A Servant
March 7, 2014 at 7:06 am
Thank you Limbi, I appreciate the support.
We are getting British weather, rain, rain and more rain.
limbiley
March 7, 2014 at 7:41 am
You can keep the weather!
Tom Huff
March 7, 2014 at 9:04 am
Reblogged this on Tom Huff's.
SLIMJIM
March 9, 2014 at 11:30 am
Thank you for sharing your post on 1 Peter, I appreciate you blogging through 1 Peter thus far and have been edified with it (sorry been away from your blog since I was at a conference). I think sometime I might blog on how I understand foreknowledge which also allow me more time to go through the issue and the Word of God again concerning this topic. Thanks again for sharing your posts and looking forward to the rest of the study of 1 Peter.
A Servant
March 9, 2014 at 1:42 pm
I saw some posts from you, it would seem you had quite a conference.
This week we have sanctification and the blood of Jesus. Thank God for the blood.
Enjoy the Lord’s day, it is beautiful here.