As Peter begins his letter to those dispersed Christians who were scattered throughout the Roman empire, he reminds them that they were “elect according to the foreknowledge of God.” The word “elect” in the Greek text comes before the word “pilgrims.” Their status before God is stressed: they are God’s elect pilgrims. Their salvation is not something they stumbled upon by chance, but was planned by God the Father from the beginning. They are, “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people” (2:9).

Many seem to have problems with the idea that Scripture is full of passages that speak of believers being chosen “before the foundation of the world” (Eph. 1:3–6). First Thessalonians 1:4 speaks of “knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.” Peter challenges us to “be even more diligent to make your call and election sure” (2 Pet. 1:10).

Peter goes on to remind them that they were “elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father.” This word “foreknowledge” has to do with the fact that they were marked out ahead of time. This is connected to the predetermined purposes of an all-knowing God who sees the beginning and the end! This comes out further when we think of the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. This same thought was preached by Peter since the birth of the Church: “[Christ], being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death” (Acts 2:23).

All of this should not be a point of contention for us but a point of courage to live for the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ!