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1 Peter 1:1, 2
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. Each of these truths is, in fact, a doctrine taught throughout Scripture. This is only an introduction to them to help us see more of the infinite value of our salvation.
- GOD’S ELECT ARE STRANGERS AND SOJOURNERS! A sojourner is one who has no country of their own on this earth. Jesus expressed the idea of being temporary when He said “foxes have holes, birds have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” As Christians we must always remember we are strangers in a lost and dying world. Since our salvation, we are no longer interested in this world. One writer says it like this: The viewpoint of salvation is that the Christian’s home is the place where their election started. So where is the focus of your daily life, here or heaven?
- GOD’S ELECT ARE SCATTERED! Everywhere this word appears in the NT it is referring to Christians scattered among the Gentiles. Practically, for Christians this means that as long as we are in this world, we are among those who are not part of God’s family. God has “scattered” each of us to the exact place He prepared for us to do those good works He planned in advance for us to do. Where we are now is where God knows we can be the best kingdom representative. Therefore, if we do not do all we can to serve and minister for our Great Savior, we are being disobedient children.
- GOD’S ELECT ARE SANCTIFIED! Unfortunately, far too many Christians don’t understand the magnificence of this doctrine. This great doctrine perhaps more than any other doctrine teaches why a person can’t claim to be a Christian and at the same time live like salvation never happened. We will talk more about this sanctification next week.
- GOD’S ELECT ARE SPRINKLED! This is a divine declaration of the cleansing power of the shed blood of Christ being applied to a sinner for cleansing of their sin. Scripture tells us nearly everything is cleansed for God use with blood (Heb. 9:22). Sprinkling is a picture of sanctification and acceptance the people would understand. It assures us that God has applied all the terms of the new covenant to us at our salvation. These truths also show us how, first, God the Father chooses and elects all who are saved on the basis of His foreknowledge. If The Father doesn’t begin the salvation process, no person would ever be saved. Second, God the Son purchases us with His shed blood. It is with His blood we are cleansed and made fit for the Kingdom. Third, the Holy Spirit sanctifies us by leading us where God has prepared for us to go; and His sanctifying work helps us desire a more Christlike life as we read, memorize, study and understand the Scriptures. Ponder all this and you will see why the writer of Hebrews says, “how can we neglect so great a salvation.“
If we can help you answer your spiritual questions, call us at (574) 643-9419.
