Chosen and Blessed (1 Pet. 1:3-5)

"3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Peter 1:3-5)

After delivering the customary greeting typical of letters from this era, Peter spontaneously transitions into a joyful song of praise. The focal point of this exultation revolves around the magnificent truth that God brings about a spiritual rebirth in His people, providing them with a vibrant hope and an imperishable inheritance in heaven. In response, Peter declares, "Blessed be God." This proclamation serves as an invitation for us to echo the same sentiment.

What Peter expresses is not a mere informative discourse but a heartfelt response to the profound realities he discusses. He could have approached the subject in a detached, dispassionate manner, outlining a systematic lecture on God, Regeneration, Hope, the Resurrection of Jesus, Inheritance, and Heaven. However, Peter deliberately chooses a different path.

As a preacher reflecting on this text, the message is clear: refrain from approaching these truths with cold indifference. Inspired by the impact of these realities on his heart, Peter initiates his discourse with exultation, blessing, and wonder. He doesn't just present the facts clinically; he bursts forth with gratitude and praise. Instead of saying, "I have conveyed the truth clearly; my task is complete," he declares, "Blessed be God."
Throughout the letter, Peter repeatedly breaks into doxology, acknowledging, "To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever" (1 Pet. 4:11) and affirming, "To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen." His writing reflects a worshipful spirit, approaching the most significant realities in the universe with awe and heartfelt gratitude.

Today, we will explore the initial six realities that form the foundation of this song of praise, all of which give us ample reason to offer our praise to God. Subsequently, we will delve into the central theme of this doxology – God's transformative work of regeneration.
Now, which profound truth led Peter to this exultation? Focusing on verses 3-5, six significant realities about God captivated Peter's mind and heart.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to His great mercy, reveals the immeasurable compassion of God. This reality underscores our worship originates from recognizing His overflowing and undeserved mercy graciously extended towards us. The magnitude of God's mercy forms the foundation of our devotion and prompts us to acknowledge the boundless compassion that marks His character.
God's Sovereign Work of New Birth is highlighted in the statement, "...has caused us to be born again to a living hope…" This emphasizes the profound truth that our new life in Christ is not a result of our efforts but is entirely initiated by God's sovereignty. Acknowledging God's role in our spiritual birth signifies a profound and transformative experience, shaping us into children of God and distinguishing us from the patterns of the world. This divine initiative in the new birth underscores the sovereignty of God in the foundational aspects of our faith journey.

God's Mighty Resurrection Power is evident in the statement, "...through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…" This acknowledgment establishes the very foundation of our faith, emphasizing the crucial role of God's divine intervention. The triumph of resurrection becomes a cornerstone, securing our hope and underlining the profound impact of God's power in the transformative narrative of our belief. The resurrection is a testament to God's unmatched strength, reinforcing the significance of this pivotal event in the Christian faith.
God's Covenant Promise of an Imperishable Inheritance is encapsulated in the statement, "...to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away…" This promise assures believers of an eternal inheritance beyond the constraints of decay and corruption. It represents a lasting and unblemished legacy, surpassing the transient nature of earthly possessions. The covenantal commitment to an imperishable inheritance is a testament to God's faithfulness and the enduring nature of the blessings He bestows upon His children.

God's Faithful Keeping of Our Inheritance is expressed in the statement, "[The inheritance is] reserved [literally: "kept"] in heaven for you." This understanding signifies God's unwavering faithfulness as the guardian of our inheritance. It provides believers with assurance that what God promises, He diligently preserves. This vigilant keeping ensures that our heavenly inheritance remains untarnished, secure, and ready for the appointed time of its bestowal. God's commitment to safeguarding our eternal legacy becomes a source of comfort and confidence for those who trust in His promises.

God's Protective Power through Faith is exemplified in the statement, "...who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." This ongoing guardianship highlights God's direct and active involvement in protecting His children. It signifies a dynamic relationship where faith acts as the conduit through which God's power actively shields and preserves believers. This protective journey continues until the final revelation of salvation, emphasizing the enduring commitment of God to safeguard those who trust Him. The intertwining of faith and divine power becomes a source of assurance and anticipation for believers awaiting the ultimate unveiling of salvation for the last time.

Let's synthesize Peter's message. He marvels at the profound doctrine of the new birth and the transformative experience of being born again into a living hope, all made possible by the mercy of God. This divine mercy spares His elect children from deserving judgment. The new birth finds its foundation in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, signifying His sacrificial death for our spiritual renewal and His resurrection for our eternal life. This new birth connects us to the living hope of a future inheritance, a promise safeguarded by God Himself. Unlike earthly fathers who face uncertainties in leaving an inheritance, God assures His children of receiving this eternal legacy, actively protecting it with His divine power. As we explore these realities intertwined with the new birth, let's dedicate time to clearly understanding this foundational truth.

Perhaps our failure to consistently exalt God as we ought stems from a lack of comprehension regarding the glorious reality of the new birth, or it could be a manifestation of spiritual amnesia, where we continually forget this transformative truth. The English evangelist George Whitefield, a pivotal figure in the 1700s Great Awakening, frequently preached the necessity of the new birth to a religious audience. Faced with criticism for the repetitiveness of his message, Whitefield responded succinctly, "Well, because you must be born again." Emphasizing regeneration becomes paramount, especially when addressing religious individuals.

My mentor, Vernon Higham, a minister trained in churches, learned the significance of stressing the new birth. Despite his ministerial training, he experienced a profound rebirth, highlighting the crucial nature of this spiritual transformation. Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones' wife similarly encountered the new birth during his initial pastorate. It prompts us to consider that our spiritual apathy might not solely be due to the need for relevance in the church but possibly because there are spiritually lifeless individuals among us. The imperative remains: we must be born again.

The Bible illustrates a morally upright religious figure's misunderstanding of the new birth. Nicodemus, a Jewish Pharisee and "ruler of the Jews," lacked a proper understanding despite his prominence in the Sanhedrin, his reputation, learning, and influence. His nighttime approach to Jesus, likely to avoid daytime crowds, exemplifies the need for a deeper comprehension of what it truly means to be born again.

Nicodemus initiates the conversation with a seemingly straightforward statement, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs unless God is with him." The identity of the "we" remains uncertain, but beneath Nicodemus's words lies a more profound concern. Jesus, discerning the underlying issue, responds by stating, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God." The term "born again" signifies being born from above, by the Spirit and power of God, who dwells above. In Scripture, phrases like the New Birth, born again, and regeneration all point to the supernatural transformation inherent in our salvation—the divine implantation of God's life in the human soul.

Nicodemus, perplexed, responds with a question born out of confusion, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Nicodemus struggles to grasp Jesus's message. Jesus reiterates emphatically, "Truly, truly, I say to you unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." While interpretations vary, this likely emphasizes the physical presence of water in birth, coupled with the necessity of spiritual birth. Verse 8 further elucidates the nature of regeneration, likening the Spirit's work to the wind. Jesus draws a parallel between the unpredictable movements of the wind and the mysterious workings of the sovereign Spirit, stating, "The wind[e] blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit” (John 3:8). The analogy underscores the uncontrollable and inscrutable nature of the Spirit's regenerating work—a powerful reminder of salvation as an expression of God's sovereign grace.

The Kingdom of God is not a tangible realm but a spiritual Kingdom established within our hearts through the new birth. The imperative remains: we must be born again. This transformative experience births in us a living hope, signifying our connection to the resurrection's power and ensuring the confident anticipation of our future inheritance and the complete revelation of our faith. In being born again, we stand as blessed people.
I recall a hospice visit I was making with a lady who was in the eleventh hour of her life. After discovering her hesitancy in following Jesus, I asked, “What is holding you back from a personal relationship with Jesus?” She answered, “I just want to sin a little more.” Why would she respond in this way? Well, because she needed to be born again.

The imperative is clear: we must be born again. As the verse underscores the uncontrollable movement of the Spirit, the question arises—how can we guide people to Jesus Christ? The answer, thankfully, is provided in the Word of God. The power of the Holy Spirit exclusively accomplishes this instantaneous process through the instrumentality of the Word of God (John 5:24). Therefore, our focus must be on preaching the Word, specifically the gospel outlined in Scripture. Paul emphatically conveyed to the Roman church that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Rom. 1:16).  It has primacy over our music, teaching, programs, friendliness, efficiency, and more—it is the gospel! Our task is to release it. Charles Spurgeon's analogy echoes this sentiment: defending the gospel is like defending a lion—you don't; you simply let it loose. We aim to scatter this good news widely, enabling others to join in worship with us, embracing the living hope through God's mercy, the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the assured security in heaven. The resounding message remains: you must be born again, and God brings new life to the spiritually dead through His word, particularly through the proclamation of the gospel!