Sanctified by the Spirit.

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the refugees scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification by the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling with the blood of Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace be multiplied.” - 1st Peter 1:1-2

Something key to note in the epistle of 1st Peter is his introduction. He starts with his position in Christ, he establishes who he is writing to - the elect, where the message comes from - Jesus, and says the results of that message. By the Spirit, we are sanctified for obedience. Obedience proceeds from the Spirit’s work of sanctification in our lives. The knowledge and understanding of God’s sovereign work should never make us complacent but rather it should make us dependent on him.

God’s sovereign nature should draw us to a deep lifestyle of prayer because it is he who works in and through us. “Be Holy, as I am Holy.” This commandment can only be done by the Spirit of God within us. Peter does not contradict the doctrines of God’s sovereignty and the work of the Holy Spirit by calling for holy living. Rather, Peter’s introduction gives us the lens through which to view the rest of the letter. That is we must submit ourselves to the sovereign work of God and walk through sanctification as the Spirit of God is at work within us.