…To those who are elect…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. – 1 Peter 1:1-2

Scripture reading: Ephesians 1

In verse 2, Peter now tells us that the Triune God saves us! Christians are ordained to spiritual life by the sovereign choice of God the Father. This choosing was not based on foreseen faith, but divine choice alone, because God knew us before the world began. Paul declares:

“He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world and that He predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will” (Ephesians 1:4-5).

God’s people are those who are chosen in Christ and in God’s perfect time He ordained that we would repent, believe the gospel, and be saved.

Those who are in Christ by faith have been appointed for cleansing by His blood. The word sprinkling here refers to the ceremonial cleansing of the Old Testament sacrificial system. The many sacrifices and priestly rites were shadows of the one offering and priestly work of Christ on behalf of His covenant people. We are also partakers of Christ’s obedience and thus made to conform to God’s standard of holiness. Christ makes us perfectly acceptable to God the Father.

The Holy Ghost applies to us Christ’s work of redemption and fulfills the Father’s will for our election. The Spirit’s work is inward and He deals with our hearts to make us willing to accept Christ as our Saviour. He illuminates our minds to see our sin and to see our need for a Saviour to cleanse and save us. What a great Triune God Who saves us!

Suggestions for prayer

Praise the Triune God Who saves His people from their sin. Thank God the Father that He did not leave us to perish and die, but sent His Son to shed His precious blood to cleanse us and send His Spirit to awaken us to our need for Jesus Christ.

This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Michael Jaatinen is the minister of Mount Zion Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Moncton, NB.