Message from Scripture: 12/4/2020

 

Our message from Scripture today is 2 Pet. 1:10-11. “Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.”

 

Scripture is clear to us God calls us through His word, which insures it is the same from one generation to the next, and that it is readily available to all who desire to find life in Christ. Paul reminds us, “It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess. 2:14). It’s no wonder then, that Peter speaks about how we need to make certain that God’s call of the gospel, and His choice of us in coming in faithful obedience to His will, is certain, or sure, a fixed point of reference our lives are anchored to.

 

Peter says we must be diligent to have this certainty in our hope of eternity. It has the idea of making every effort to do one's best, to be eager. Such diligence is seen in practicing what the gospel teaches, to do our best to live by its precepts and principles. If we remain rooted and grounded in its teachings, and surrender our lives to living by them, we can have confidence about the salvation Christ has provided for us.

 

Of course, we’re not speaking about earning our salvation by works of human merit, but instead doing our best to live by faith, knowing God’s grace and mercy is operative in our lives as well. Our best efforts alone can’t secure us eternal life, but doing our best by the grace of God keeps us in His love and mercy, where our hope lies, and God’s promises are fulfilled.

 

Peter isn’t saying we will never sin after obeying the gospel, but that we have access to God’s forgiveness in Christ to cleanse us and keep us in His life. If we make sure He is in our thoughts and lifestyle, we can have confidence of what God will do for us in Christ. That is the way to have a great day today! God bless.

 

Robert