3. “Neither special creations nor spiritual freaks, but those who have learned St. Augustine’s aspiration: ‘My life shall be a real life, being wholly full of thee.’” Evelyn Underhill “…be holy yourselves in all your behavior” Peter

4. 1 Pe. 1:1, Elect exiles (Jn. 6:44, 45) According to foreknowledge of God the Father Plan cf. Hb. 8:8ff In the sanctification of the Spirit: Word (Jn. 3:3ff) For obedience to Jesus Christ: Faith For sprinkling with His blood (Hb. 10:22; Lv. 17) Similarities between God’s chosen people: – “Possession” Ex. 19:5; 1 Pe. 2:9 – “Holy” Lv. 11:44; 1 Pe. 1:15

5. How they became elect (Jn. 6:44, 45) God caused them to be born again: – Divine Prerogative Rm. 6:4…10, 11 (Jn. 3:3ff) – Divine Mercy—your sins are forgotten – Divine Means—Jesus’ blood (grace)

6. Conditions (reality) 1. A living hope (v. 3) 2. To an inheritance kept in heaven for you (v. 4) cf. Sons, Gal. 3:26ff 3. For a sal. ready to be revealed in the last time (v. 5) 4. Praise and glory and honor at the revelation… (v. 7) 5. The outcome…sal. of your souls (v. 9) – Rm. 8:24 (6:7, 17ff, “freed from sin”) – Eph. 1:13, 14

7. What could happen? “Protection” implies two things: 1. Harm exists 2. Opportunity exists This passage tells us two things: 1. Satan can still get us 2. But not while God is protecting us “God protects us no matter what.” ??? This begs the question: Can we lose His protection? Cf. “through faith” (Mk. 6:5) trials

8. Privileged vv. 10 -12 The prophets didn’t know, they do. N.B.: the work of the spirit: – OT: Indicated and revealed through prophecies and predictions – NT: Announced by the HS through those who preached to you Jn. 6; Jn. 3

9. Instructions vv. 13 - 16 “Gird up the loins of your mind” Lk. 14:…28 “Be sober” 1 Pe. 4:7 cf. Lk. 12:35…45 “Sobriety is the god of the athlete.” Ignatius “Completely hope” “Do not be conformed” Lv. 18:6ff “Be holy in all your behavior” cf. “completely”

10. 6 Practical Exhortations 1. Religion: Wisdom, Pro. 1:20-23; 3:13-23

11. 6 Practical Exhortations 2. Friends: “Do two men walk together unless they are agreed?” (Amos 3:3) Ecc. 4:9ff; Col. 4; Jn. 15:14, 15

12. 6 Practical Exhortations 3. “Best friend”: ?Zipporah or Job’s wife ?Abigail or Delilah ?Samson, Zacchaeus, or the leper (Lk. 17:11ff) ?Ananias and Sapphira, or Priscilla and Aquila

13. 6 Practical Exhortations 4. Education: Ecc. 2 and #1—God’s wisdom 1st

14. 6 Practical Exhortations 5. Labor: (Mt. 6:33; 2 Thess. 3:11) “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.” (Col. 3:23) “The sleep of the working man is pleasant, whether he eats little or much; but the full stomach of the rich man does not allow him to sleep.” (Ecc. 5:12) “He who is slack in his work is brother to him who destroys.” (Pro. 18:9)

15. 6 Practical Exhortations 6. Spare time: “…God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.” (1 Tm. 6:17)  “But I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak.” (Mt. 12:36)

16. “You are to perform My judgments and keep My statutes, to live in accord with them; I am the Lord your God. So you shall keep My statutes and My judgments, by which a man shall live if he does them; I am the Lord.” Lv. 18:4-5