“To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood.” 1 Peter 1:1-3 TNIV
In our last post study, we worked with the very beginning of this letter’s introduction. Today we will look at the testy subject of God’s “foreknowledge.” In the Greek, the word is literally the two words for “for or forward” and the word for knowledge. So we have our English word very accurate to the thought process of the Holy Spirit.
Our God is awesome in every way. His mind encompasses all of creation, time and eternity. My brain “goes into knots” (as one of my friends says) just to try to think about holding such concepts. Just the thought of that – WOW – more than we can conceive. The thrust in this verse is that our Lord has known us, “in His mind,” before the foundation of the world. I believe this is true both individually and collectively. Ephesians 1:4 is very clear about that fact.
His “foreknowledge” never interferes with our freedom to choose. I have four precious children, three sons and one daughter. When they were all young children I learned (limited thought I am in my mind) their choices based on who they were and what they usually would choose. When having a choice between ice cream and fruit, everyone would pick ice cream, except my youngest, David. David would always choose fruit. Just because I knew before I asked did not mean I chosen for them. They still had their own minds and choices of the freedom God gave them in their imaging of Him.
That is a small example of how my mind works with the foreknowledge of our awesome God. He loves us so deeply and knows ahead of time, yet allows us to choose to be chosen. I know it can get really complicated when we study this out theologically. I have done that, and it produces more “brain-knots” for me. This is my simple way to receive and be blessed by my marvelous God knowing and loving and receiving.
Nothing about me surprises Him. Nothing about you surprises Him. We have been in His heart and mind all along. Awesome!
Mannaword 
It’s so simple. The Calvinist idea that either God makes people choose or He isn’t sovereign just doesn’t work. God determines from all time that we choose freely.
…and Kreg will still choose ice cream over fruit. The good news is he’s good about eating fruit because we don’t have ice cream in the house! LOL! Great lesson!
I really enjoy your writings.