1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the world scattered in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

A. v2 Believers are elect/select/special in God’s Sight, regardless of what the world thinks/does

OLB Strongs #1588 1a3) choice, select, i.e. the best of its kind or class, excellence preeminent: applied to certain individual Christians (Thayer)

Jn 15:18 If the world hates you, know that it hated Me before hating you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20…servant is not greater… 2Tim 3:12

Acts 13:17  The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt,
Eph 1:4  just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love 1Pt 2:4  Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 6 ..he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame. 9  But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  See Election  Calvinism Series Truthbase.net

B. Believers are select according to the foreknowledge/predetermined plan of God the Father

(faithful group ruling with Christ)
Ac 26:5 They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of religion I lived a Pharisee. 2:23 4:13w/J
2Pt 3:17  beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with error of wicked;
Rom 11:2  God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. 20 Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. 21  For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. 22  Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. 23  And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.

C. Believers experience their special status  by/in (en) sanctification of the Spirit

(work of the HS in setting us apart and/or cleaning us up)
[Salvation reverses the effects of the Fall in: past Justification, present Sanctification, future Glorification (restoration to glory)] Ac 26:18 20:32
Rm 6:19 speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness/sanctification v22
2Thess 2:13 …thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, 14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus
Heb 12:14  Pursue peace with all, and holiness/sanctification, without which no one will see the Lord: (1Cor 1:30; 1Th 4:3-4, 7; 1Ti 2:15)
2Tim 2:21 if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified & useful for the Master, prepared for every good work

D. Believers are offered an intimate relationship with God   for (eis) obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ

Heb 5:8  though He was a Son, He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 2:10…in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11  For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one…
1Pt 1:14, 22  Since you have purified your souls by obeying the truth through the Spirit eis a sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, 23  having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, thru the word of God lives abides forever,
Rm 1:5  Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience of (to the) faith among all nations for His name,

Heb 9:19  Moses spoke every precept to all the people according to the law, he took blood… and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people
Ex 24:7  read the Book of the Covenant…And they said, "All that the LORD has said we will do, and be obedient." 8  And Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, "This is the blood of the covenant which the LORD has made with you according to all these words."
Heb 10:10  By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all 14  For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. 15  But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before,
16  "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them," 17  then He adds, "Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more."

Gal 6:7  Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. Ex 14:31 Num 14:19; 1Pt 1:17
2Cor 5:10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.   Heb 6:10 not unjust Mt 12:36 idle; Ec 12:14;  Rm 2:5-11; Rev 20:12; Phil 2:13

E. God wants to abundantly bless believers so they can live above the circumstances   Grace to you and peace be multiplied

2Pt 1:11
Jn 10:10…I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.   See Secrets of Contentment Truthbase.net
Heb 13:21 God of peace…equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ NIV

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. If we’re so special to God, why doesn’t everyone love us? Why do we value what “the world” thinks?  Response to being scorned?
2. If holiness is automatic and guaranteed, why are there so many verses exhorting, encouraging and warning us to be holy?  Are all holy?
3. If our sins are forgiven by virtue of our relationship with Christ, do we experience consequences for our sin? What did Christ pay for?
4. If God’s desire is for us to have grace and peace and a great obedient relationship with Him, why do many not experience those blessings?
5. What can you do to cooperate with God’s purposes for you and thus experience worth and value from Him despite what “the world” does?