Confidence in God's Promises

Read 2Peter 1:1-11
Title in NIV: Making one's calling and election sure.

First Peter was written to believers to encourage them against persecution from outside the church. Second Peter is written to believers to encourage them against persecution inside the church. Yes-- inside the church. We need not get so comfortable in our church that we let our guard down to Satan's schemes. He uses our Brothers and Sisters against us.

Lets consider these situation: If your loved one gets a rare disease, what would you do? If you had to move to a new town because of work, what would you do? If you were asked to give a speech, what would you do? You would gather knowledge about the disease, town or topic, right? Peter says, God "has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our KNOWLEDGE of him..." (vs. 3). Just like the situations call for knowledge so we can battle them, our life requires knowledge of Jesus Christ and his qualities to "escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires" (vs.4).

Peter tells us we have precious promises. Do you know (knowledge) what they are? I challenge you to write a promise every day and then live like you believe in that promise. For example, Hebrews 13:5 says, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Live like you have a savior on your side that can do all things at all times and in every situation. I just saw my Great Aunt in a nursing home. I made the comment, "You will be with Jesus and all the singing angels one day where there is no more pain." Her comment was, "I hope so." How sad I thought. Live like you believe the promise that you are forgiven (Acts 10:43)and He will never leave you. Also, 1 John 4:12, "...if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." Live like you are desiring complete love in your life and love the unlovable-- they are your brothers also.

Peter says to add to your faith goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love in increasing measure. That statement, "in increasing measure" tells me to choose to learn about these qualities continually. Peter says having these qualities "will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (vs.8). Peter says if you "don't have them, [you are] nearsighted and blind and have forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins" (vs.9).

I love the promise in verse ten. You can make your calling and election sure. Your calling is a divine summons, a strong impulse or inclination that God places in your heart for him. Your election is God's chosen people for himself. Verse ten says, "For if you do these things, you will never fall...". What an awesome promise to live in. I know someone who loves the Lord, who reads the bible daily, who really tries to live the way God wants, but this person lives in defeat. This person is not confident (sure) in God. This person doubts God loves them and even worries about being saved. Verse ten's promise should give her and you confidence to approach the throne of grace so that you may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Heb. 4:16). Living in this promise does not mean you will never be tempted, or that you will never sin, or that you will always make the right decisions. But when we continually refoucus ourself on our foundation (Christ) our promise is secure. You have to gain knowledge, you have to put forth effort to continue living as a chosen son or daughter of God. You have to come back to him always.

Always cling to Jesus, even when you fail...he already did the work of forgiveness in your life...accept it with joy and live like you are forgiven. As we cling to Jesus, we will have the desire to gain knowledge of the qualities mentioned and not just knowledge but also living by those qualities. If we cling to Jesus we will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Further study:
Philippians 2:12
2 Corinthians 13:5