The Work of Deity in our Salvation

The fifty-six words in 1 Peter 1:1-2 contain two powerful doctrinal statements concerning the Christian faith. In short and concise statements, Peter establishes gospel doctrine on the Godhead and on Deity’s desire for mankind’s salvation.

            In verse two, three Persons of the Godhead are mentioned.  God the Father, the Spirit, and Jesus Christ are all mentioned as active participants in the salvation of mankind. The work of the Father is seen in His choosing those who reside as aliens through His foreknowledge. Because God has chosen Christians, after their birth in Christ, they become as aliens in a strange land while living on earth. The Father is responsible for our transitory stay. Peter says that He chose or selected Christians. This selection is based upon our willful compliance with His terms of forgiveness. Our calling and election is purely conditional. As long as we choose to remain faithful to God through obedience to Christ we can remain part of the chosen few.

            The work of the Spirit in our salvation is seen through His sanctifying work. What is the “sanctifying work” of the Holy Spirit? We might say that it refers to the active process of making mankind holy. The Spirit constantly works to make us holy and acceptable in the sight of God. But, the Spirit’s work is not alone. We must respond by putting on holiness.  Later, Peter writes, like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all of your behavior, 1:15. Of course, we learn how to put on holiness through our reading and application of the Word of God. Note verse two very carefully. Why does the Spirit sanctify those that are chosen? The answer is seen in that they obey Jesus. When we do our best to become imitators of God (Ephesians 5:2), the Spirit pronounces us justified and acceptable in the sight of God.

            Finally, we see Jesus’ part in our salvation. If the Father in His foreknowledge, devised the plan of man’s redemption and the Holy Spirit revealed the message of salvation through the word of God, then it is Jesus who executed God’s plan by willingly coming to earth and shedding His blood for our sins. Jesus redeemed and purchased Christians through the pouring out of His blood. See 1 Peter 1:18-19. Those who obey Christ have been sprinkled in His blood, 1:2. This phrase is metaphorical in that it alludes to an Old Testament practice mentioned in Exodus 24:1-8. Just as those under Moses’ law were purified after being sprinkled with blood, we are purified when coming into contact with the blood of Jesus through the waters of baptism, 1 Corinthians 6:11; Hebrews 10:22.

            God, in His foreknowledge, devised a plan whereby mankind can be saved. We have the right to freely accept or reject His terms of pardon, grace, and forgiveness. When we choose to obey the commands of Jesus then we can be assured that salvation is ours! Deity has and continues to do its part in helping mankind be saved.  Have you been saved from your sin?