13
Nov '24
Make Sure
13
Nov '24
Introduction: Are you sure you’re saved? Does God want us to know for sure? Absolutely! Is there proof? Evidence? But how can we know for sure? Peter, up in age, writes in his second epistle, refuting false teaching as well as confirming this matter.
Check it out.
1. What do we need to make sure? (2 Pet. 1:10) – “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure.”
The word “sure” is βέβαιος (beb’-ah-yos), which means firm, secure, or certain. The word “calling” is κλῆσις (klay’-sis), which means a calling or an invitation. When used in the New Testament, it always refers to a divine call. So, God is the One who calls! Now, the word “election” is ἐκλογή (ek-log-ay’). Here again, this election is God choosing or divine selection. God makes the choice. However, since man is not a robot, he has a God-given responsibility to accept this choosing by grace through faith. Have you made that choice?
2. How can we make our calling and election sure? (2 Pet. 1:5-8) – “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.“
According to Peter, these things ought to be in every Christian. The Holy Spirit proves we are His by manifesting these virtues in us and through us.
Conclusion: Peter summarized this matter when he wrote (2 Pet. 1:9) – “But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.”
Are you making your calling and election sure?
Love y’all,
Pastor Randy