The Qualification of Your Salvation 1Peter 1:18-25

18knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,

19but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

20He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you

21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

22Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,

23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;

24for

"All flesh is like grass
and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
and the flower falls,
25 but the word of the Lord remains forever." (ESV)

And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

Read the complete first chapter of Peter.

First Peter, as a whole, and certainly the first chapter is written to believers who are going through trial in this land which is not our home. It reminds us that there is cause for rejoicing since you who believe have been chosen my God, you have an inheritance that is sure. You are living the salvation that prophets dreamed of and prophesied.

So get your minds set on hope, holiness, and honoring God. Praise God! You have been, are being, will be saved...by the death of Jesus in your place, by God's choice, by your faith, which can be trusted because it comes from God as well.

How did it happen? How does it happen? What qualifies someone for salvation?

First, a few soteriological terms:

>> Redeemed/Ransomed = release paid for. Titus 2:13b-14

>> Futile ways/aimless conduct/vain conversation = religious acts or other human accomplishments and ways Ephesians4:17,22; Acts14:15(vanities KJV)

>>Perishable things = such as money re. Exodus30:11-16(2Samuel 24); Isaiah52:3

>> Blood of Christ = sacrificial / redemptive death of Jesus; not body fluid (Though is was truly shed, losing blood without giving His life would not have provided for the salvation of those who trust in Him.)

SALVATION – begotten (v.3); calling God Father (v.17); redeemed (v.18) – IS ALL ACCORDING TO:

GOD'S PLAN verse 20

• Decided before the foundation of the world – not a reaction - to Adam's sin or Israel's falure
  

• Demonstrated in the incarnation, sinless life, death, resurrection, and glory Philippians 2:6-11

• Dated - “last times” = between the birth of Christ and His second coming. I.e. today

GOD'S PURPOSE verse 21

• Jesus died so that you, the redeemed could / would believe in God. Faith= present enjoyment of redemption. Hope= anticipation of future redemption of the body from all effects of sin

• "Through Him" (Jesus Christ alone) = must acknowledge:

  • death and resurrection (“raised Him from the dead”) and

  • lordship (“gave Him glory”)

GOD'S PREREQUISITE verse 21 through Him, Jesus

• The only way to know God

• The power to know God

GOD'S PROOF verse 22

• Supernatural love by means of a purified soul (= past action with continuing results) purify-1John 3:3; love-Romans 5:5

• Saving faith – described- obeying the truth >> not human initiated (“through the Spirit”) - Ephesians 2:8.

• Spiritual target – the brethren / one another

  • without hypocrisy Romans 12:9

  • beyond earthly limitations 1John3:14, 23-24; Romans5:5

• Stretching the limits (fervently/deeply/earnestly) physiological term = stretch to the limit of a muscles capacity

  • intentional – agapaō

  • extensive – 1Peter4:8 covers others' sin not parades them

  • internal – not legalistic requirement – from pure heart = Holy Spirit compulsion – Galatians 5:22-25

• Seed incorruptible (verse 23) which produces an eternal crop

  • born again (occurred in the past with ongoing results in the present) Paul's description – Romans6:3-4

  • like the Word of God – lives (breathes / enjoys life) and abides (stays /does not perish) for ever

  • by/through the Word of God (verse 25)– (rhema = specific statements preached or “gospelled”)

Qualifications for Salvation

>> Trust only in the God-planned substitutionary death of Jesus for present salvation/relationship to God and future complete delivery from the effects of sin You can be born again.

>> Faith demonstrated by obedience to the Word of God True faith results in a life different from the world.

>> New life desires and enabling, by God the Holy Spirit, to love on purpose. Being born of the seed of God is a God action and results in being a new creation.