We are foreknown by God, and sanctified by the Spirit, so that we can serve in obedience through the cleansing of the precious blood of Jesus Christ. We are refined like silver in the trials we face in life. If we remain faithful in the trials it shows the depth of our faith. Those trials bring praise, honor and glory to Jesus Christ. We, thorugh our faith in Jesus Christ, believe in God, so that our hope rest in God. We are purified in the furnace of affliction. How can we, who are kept by the power of God, be holy as He is holy? How can we who are saved by the incorruptible, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ be obedient to the grace given to us by God the Father? We must rest our hope completely on the grace of Jesus Christ. He is able, through the sanctification of the precious Holy Spirit, to do the will of God in our life. Only in Him and through Him can we do what God is calling us to. He will lead us into our part in building the House of God, the Bride of Christ, and through love it will stand. Oh God, I am not worthy to receive You but only say the word that l may be cleansed. It is not about our worthiness but His worthiness!
To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 in this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy.
22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart
The NKJ study bible explains it this way:
Peter received a special commission from the Lord to act with official authority as God's representative among believers, in order to carry God's message to them. 1:2 Believers are chosen to be included in God's family, not on the basis of what they have done or who they are, but on the basis of God's eternal wisdom. Sanctification is the ongoing process whereby the Holy Spirit works in believers, making their lives holy, separated from their old ways and to God in order to be more like Him. One reason that God chooses us is so that we might serve Him. Our salvation is grounded in God's mercy, His act of compassion toward us despite our condition of sinfulness. Hope here does not imply a wishfulness but rather a dynamic confidence that does not end with this life but continues throughout eternity. God has set aside in heaven a wonderful inheritance that is waiting for us even now. Trials refers to ordeals that we encounter in life rather than those things that would induce us to sin. As the purity of gold is brought forth by intense heat, so the reality and purity of our faith are revealed as a result of the fiery trials we face. Ultimately the testing of our faith not only demonstrates our final salvation but also develops our capacity to bring glory to the Lord Jesus Christ when He comes into His kingdom and we reign with Him. There is a final, positive outcome for trusting God through all the difficulties of life—our salvation. Although humans may preach God's message of salvation, ultimately the Holy Spirit is the One who proclaims these great truths. Even the angels are amazed at what a wonderful salvation God has enacted on our behalf. We need to do whatever it takes to focus our thoughts on those things that allow us to serve God successfully, all the while eliminating any thoughts that would trip us up. We need to exhibit confidence that God will accomplish all that He promised He would do. We need to remember that God is both our merciful Savior and our holy Judge. God bought our freedom, paying for us with His Son's life. God's way of salvation is contrasted to human attempts at gaining salvation through the use of earthly means. Peter describes Christ as the ultimate sacrificial Lamb, who is offered in our place to pay the price for our sins. God has known the One who would bring salvation, even as He has known those to whom that salvation is offered and secured. We accomplish the purification of our souls by obedience to God's truth. The purpose of studying God's truth is not only to learn more, but to become mature in the faith. Christians are part of God's great spiritual building project
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