'How To'
Instructions in Righteousness
Lesson 44: Make your calling and election sure
Key verse:
2 Peter 1:10
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your
calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never
fall.
It is best to read the entire context of leading up to this passage:
here
| Diligence |
| [Wherefore the rather, brethren, give
diligence]
2 Peter 1:5.
"In view of these things, give the greater diligence to secure
your salvation." The general thought is, that religion is
of sufficient importance to claim our highest diligence, and to
arouse us to the most earnest efforts to obtain the assurance of
salvation. –Barnes Seeing the danger of apostasy, and the fearful end of them who obey not the Gospel, and thus receive the grace of God in vain; give all diligence, spoudasate (NT:4704), hasten, be deeply careful, labour with the most intense purpose of soul, –Clarke Give diligence (make it your business) –Wycliffe Wherefore-seeing the blessed consequence of having, and the evil effects of not having, these graces (2 Peter 1:8-9). The rather-the more earnestly. –JFB |
| Calling |
| [To make your calling] From
deep Gentile darkness into the marvelous light of the Gospel.
–Clarke See paper, "Called and Chosen" What is the difference? |
| Election |
| The act of picking out, choosing of the act of God's free
will by which before the foundation of the world he decreed his
blessings to certain persons the decree made from choice by
which he determined to bless certain persons through Christ by
grace alone a thing or person chosen of persons: God's elect.
–The KJV New Testament Greek Lexicon This rather wordy lexicon is stating that God does all things by His will, which is beyond our understanding. He chose who He would call before the foundation of the world was laid. Godly Calling is a miracle process, which takes a person from worldly darkness to the light of the Salvation Process after repentance, baptism and the laying on of hands to receive the Holy Spirit. Nothing can stop this miracle process. If God wants an individual called, they get called [put in the Salvation Process]. From that point, the choice to stay or fall away, obey or not obey is in the power of that individual. With this miracle, no individual ever has an excuse that he or she did not know. This calling is the "picking out" of the individual by God. They are now of the Elect. Being of the Elect is not assurance of eternal life. It is assurance of the opportunity at salvation and eternal life. See paper, "The Elect" - Who are they? How does one become an elect? Is this enough? See paper, "The Elect and Very Elect" What is the difference? |
| Sure |
| The word "sure," means firm,
steadfast, secure, bebaian (NT:949). Here the reference must be
to "themselves;" that is, they were so to act as to make it
certain to themselves that they had been chosen, and were truly
called into the kingdom of God.
–Barnes [Sure] Bebaian (NT:949). Firm, solid. For your calling to believe the Gospel, and your election to be members of the church of Christ [and ultimately the Kingdom of God], will be ultimately unprofitable to you, unless you hold fast what you have received by adding to your faith virtue, knowledge, temperance, etc. –Clarke Your calling and election sure-by 'ministering additionally in your faith virtue, and in your virtue knowledge,' etc. God must work all these graces in us, yet not so that we should be machines, but willing instruments in His hands, in making His election of us 'secure.' –JFB |
Lesson 44:
Instructions –
Diligence
1] Understand that Godly principles cannot flow in a heart and mind
holding tainted and defiled religion.
2] Understand that without diligence, fervency and perseverance, we
cannot attain the Kingdom of God and eternal life.
3] Become an expert at recognizing apostasy and false doctrine.
4] Stay fully immersed in the Word of God.
Calling
1] Understand that Godly Calling is the highest and greatest factor in
the Salvation process and Plan of God. Nothing in religion can be
discussed without acknowledgment and understanding of Godly Calling.
2] Continually respond to your calling and your seeking of the will of
God.
3] Understand the difference between "called" and "chosen."
Election
1] Understand what "election" is.
2] Understand that Godly calling and election are miracle processes.
Sure
1] Remain firm, steadfast and secure in your Godly Calling and the
Salvation Process.
2] Continually invoke the power of the Holy Spirit in the form of Godly
principles that become part of your character.
3] Be a willing instrument in the hands of God.