UNLIKE the Apostle Paul, Peter wrote a general letter to all the churches in Asia minor. If we find his letter difficult to understand, it is good to remember that Peter was a humble fisherman, with not much education. He was taught by the Holy Spirit, and so every Christian who really hungers to know God's truth, and is willing to submit to it, can and will be taught also. To him who has more shall be given.

GREETING (Verses 1-2)

Like any letter this letter has an opening greeting. Peter identifies himself as the writer, and gives his authority to write, which is that he was one of the 12 chosen apostles, messengers of Jesus, to declare the truth revealed to them.

Peter identifies those to whom he was writing. He describes the Christian, and how the Christian becomes a Christian.

The Christian is one who is elect, that is chosen, and because of this has become an alien in this world. The term elect is used to describe the believer in Matthew 24:22,24,31 amongst many other places in the Bible. Elect means chosen and it tells us that we did not chose Christ, but he chose us. This fact is brought out in the description of how we become Christians which follows. Because we are chosen, we are chosen out of the world to belong to God, and this is why we are strangers in this world. The nature of this change is also described in verse 2.

We are believers because God foreknew us. Paul tells us this was before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4,5), and because of this he selected us simply by sovereign choice to all the blessings of salvation. (Romans 8:29). Because we have been chosen, God has worked in our lives by the Holy Spirit to sanctify us to himself. It is the root meaning of sanctify which is at the forefront of the meaning here. We have been set apart by the work of the Holy Spirit, and because of this we repent of our sins, and are given understanding of what Christ has done to atone for our sins, and are given the gift of faith to believe on Jesus. Because of this work of the Holy Spirit we obey Christ. This is the essence of true faith which saves the soul. True faith is a trust commitment to Christ by which we place our life into the Lordship of Christ, and live in obedience to him. In this faith is the understanding that it is by Christ's blood shed for us that we are cleansed from our sin, and so are reconciled to God.

THE CHRISTIAN HOPE (Verses 3-5)

Because of this sovereign work of the Holy Spirit which has brought us to faith in Christ, we enjoy a tremendous blessing, for which we can't help praising and thanking God.

This blessing is a living hope. It is a 'living' hope because it is certain and sure. It can't fail because it is based on what God and Christ has done and not in any way on our doing.

This living hope is the inheritance of eternal life in heaven. This hope can't perish, that is be taken away or lost. It is impossible to spoil i.e. it is incorruptible. Our sins and failures can't tarnish it for us. It is also one which never fades which means that the glory and excellence of it can't be diminished, nor can our enjoyment of it and appreciation of it. It is not like this world's pleasure which are always fading. Newton wrote at the end of a hymn "Solid joys and lasting treasures, none but Zion's children know." This great blessing is reserved in heaven for us. In other words our place in heaven with all its joys and privileges is already booked for us who believe. (John 14:1-4)

We need to notice that this living hope is given to us because God has shown us mercy. We are no more deserving of heaven than anyone else in the world. We enjoy this living hope simply because God has chosen to be merciful to us. We are able to enjoy this living hope because of birth, new and spiritual birth, into the spiritual kingdom of God.

We persevere through this life in our journey to heaven because we are kept by the power of God. This keeping goes on until we are brought safely to the heavenly glory.

LIVING WITH THIS HOPE (Verses 6-9)

This living hope is at the heart of our experience in this earthly life. It is something we look forward to, and long for, and so have an inner rejoicing which is above anything this world can offer.

This rejoicing is still there even though we find there is much trial in being a Christian in this sinful world.

Christ allows these trials because they make us stronger in faith. Our faith and love for Christ, and the hope of glory, are much more important than anything else, so we are kept in the journeying too it by trails which prove our faith to be genuine. God wants us to persevere to the end, and to be made fit for his glory, so that we may be a monument of praise to Him, showing forth the glory of his saving power and grace.