Mind Boggling

"chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father" (1 Peter 1:2 The NET Bible, First Edition)

I have been reading 1 Peter chapter one lately. Peter's description of God the Father's work in salvation has arrested my attention. In verse 2, Peter says that we are chosen (elect) according to the foreknowledge of God the Father.
Paul says the same thing in Ephesians 1:4:

for He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight (Eph 1:4 HCSB)

What amazing grace and mercy! God saw nothing in me that should make Him want to chose me. It was not based on something that I did or who I am. Salvation is not based on me at all.

God chose me according to His foreknowledge. This doesn't just mean that God looked down time and knew about me--knew I would oneday chose to believe in Him. Foreknowledge is about relationships. When the Bible says God knows you, it means knows that God knows you in a personal and intimate way.
His choice was not based on the fact that I would chose Him. He chose me first. He loved me first. He called me and drew me to Himself. It is all grace!

Has God spoken to your heart and called you to come to Him? Have you responded?

Chosen and foreknown--truths that are truly mind boggling--too great and too wonderful for me to comprehend.