God calls His people to live for Him, holy unto Him and distinct from the world. This is not something we can accomplish on our own. Instead, He provides the help we need in order to, as Peter wrote: “Make your election sure.” 2 Peter 1:10 teaches that the believers in Christ, whose salvation is sure, will show evidence of their election by continuing to believe in Christ and manifesting good works consistent with their salvation (Colossians 1:23). 2 Peter was written near the end of Apostle Peter’s life, perhaps as a farewell message to encourage Christians to stay true to the faith (2 Peter 1:1).
Life in the spirit is not static. Our faith is either growing or dying. We must not take our salvation for granted. A verbal confession of faith in Christ must be followed by a transformed life. In living as Christ lived and honouring Him with our lives and by so doing, we demonstrate our faith to be sincere and valid. To claim faith in Christ while living otherwise exposes a contradiction. True faith should be followed by a godly lifestyle that testifies to the hope of eternal life given to all who follow Christ.
In 2 Peter 1:5, Peter said we should exercise diligence in knowing Jesus. But in verse 10, he emphasises it again, this time on our divine callings. Anytime something keeps repeating in the scripture, especially around the same area, then that thing is of utmost importance to God. From the scripture, the calling into salvation, which we received at the point of accepting Christ as our Lord and Saviour is not enough. We need diligence to ensure we reach the high calling God has destined for us. Then, diligence in fulfilling the divine mandate by work in Christ separates the called from the chosen.
According to Peter, we are to increase and fortify our faith even more. If we don’t “do these things,” our calling and election could be made unsure. Our action or inaction regarding our faith has an effect on our eternal outcome. If we “do these things,” we will never stumble and enter the kingdom of God. In order to fortify our faith, Peter urges us in verses 5-7 to add to our faith seven things: virtue (goodness), knowledge, self-control, perseverance (endurance), godliness, brotherly kindness, and love.
There is never a point where we can stop growing in our faith in Christ. If we are not moving forward and growing in these qualities in verses 5-7, then we are falling away from the Lord. There is no coasting in this walk with God. There is no drifting or floating. Make every effort to increase in these godly characters. We should make every effort to add these characters to our lives.
As God has called and chosen us for salvation then He is also calling us to grow in Christ. The growth confirms that we were called and chosen by God. We also gain confidence that we are His as we add the qualities that show we are His. God has given us everything we need to live victorious, overcoming lives, but we have a responsibility to put into practice what He is saying in (2 Peter 1:3). The Christian life starts with salvation, and then it grows all the life through in sanctification. That means being set apart and made holy and more like Christ.
• Today’s nugget: Exercise diligence in knowing Jesus. Prayer: Lord help me to grow in faith. Prayer lines: 08033299824. Mail: [email protected]. Rev. Abel UkachiAmadi, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God Nigeria.
