1Pe 1:1-2 ESV – 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

Isn’t it good to know that even our tough times are chosen by God for our good?  As Peter kicks off his epistle “to those who are elect exiles” he makes a few bold statements.

ACCORDING TO THE FOREKNOWLEDGE OF GOD THE FATHER

Peter tells his readers that they are where they are by the “foreknowledge of God the Father”.  When the bible talks about ‘foreknowledge’ it means more than just knowing something ahead of time, it means foreordaining something ahead of time for a specific reason.  God foreordained the exile that Peter speaks of for a specific purpose.  We see the specific reason next.

IN THE SANCTIFICATION OF THE SPIRIT

The purpose was “sanctification”.  That big word means, “to make holy”.  God the Father ordains tough times in the life of Christians as a tool that the Holy Spirit uses to change us.  One of the most natural feelings in the world is the desire to avoid suffering.  Even Jesus asked his father to remove the cup of suffering from him (Luke 22:42), but “nevertheless not my will but your’s be done”, was the ultimate cry of Jesus.  More encouraging than the fact that God can remove our suffering is the fact that God uses our suffering for our good.  We see our good in the next statement.

FOR OBEDIENCE TO JESUS CHRIST

The Holy Spirit uses the suffering that God the Father ordains as a tool to change us.  He is transforming us from children who don’t have a desire to obey into mature believers who want to do what God wants us to.  Not just fake-it-til-you-make-it type obedience, but true heartfelt obedience to Jesus.

The next time that you are going through a trial don’t just ask God to remove the trial from you, also ask the Father to use his pre-ordained trial to change your desires and actions so that they align with Jesus.