”Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:10, 11).
Peter’s experience, augmented by the Holy Spirit’s inspiration led to his firm conviction (and belief) that Christians are people called and elected by God.
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His experience – the time spent with Jesus – developed in him the conviction that Jesus is more than a mere man.
Remember: his “first steps” on the surface of the sea (Matthew 14:28ff); the joy of witnessing the evil forces being defeated (Luke 10:20) by their faith (based of Jesus’ authority); being struck by Jesus’ majestic appearance on the mountain (Matthew 17:4). All this (and much more, most likely) gave him the courage to proclaim, “is the Son of the Living God (Matthew 16:16).
Once that understanding of Jesus permeated his being, the big question followed, “Why?” Why would God do such a thing? Why would the Son of the Living God come down to earth? Why? Did we invite Him?
When we are seriously considering this question, we are faced with the grim reality that there is not one single reason why God would be so gracious towards us. Not a single reason. Not one.
It follows then, that God calls us to be His children…He elects us to be His.
It is not us that make the first step…it is Him.
Peter was more than ready and willing to remind his brothers and sisters about the need to confirm their calling and election…that is to live continuously in a state of knowledge of God and Jesus, the Lord; participation in the divine nature, by “escaping” the worldly corruption “caused by evil desires”;
making an effort to…grow by adding Christians “qualities” to their character.
Let us confirm our calling and election throughout 2024!