A Divine Plan

 1 Peter 1:18-21 In verse 2 and 20 Peter uses a word that makes many shudder. Foreknow or foreknowledge, or their derivatives (predestine, foreordain, etc.) are words which describe God's pre-creation plans.  In this passage they are used in relation to salvation and the savior. In his foreknowledge God chose those whom He would redeem.  He also chose the method of redemption.  The cost of salvation was determined to be the blood of Jesus, the ransom price. It was, as vs.3 says, an act of mercy. To say that God knew about sin prior to creation is correct.  

This doctrine is central to the whole of scripture beginning in the early pages of the OT.  Examples of God's choice are found in the sons of both Abraham and Isaac. 

Foreknowledge in vs.20 must not be confused with any thought about God getting to know Jesus, rather it speaks to the Father's fully completed and ready plan of salvation. He knew what would be required of a savior and that their was only one who would be sufficient.

We may not struggle with God's plan of salvation so much as we do with those he would save. The word 'elect' draws attention to the fact that salvation is only extended to those with whom God chooses.  Our finite, rational minds sometimes struggle with this. 

 1 Pet.1:3 is a big help to me.  There we read that the 'elect' are chosen simply by the mercy of God, not on any basis of merit.  Mercy is God reaching out to me in love. I am not deserving of anything other than condemnation. Mercy removes me from it. We need to be thankful.