Making Your Calling And Election Sure

                And Jesus said, “I will build my church. And the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”. Matthew 16:18. The importance of the church cannot be over-emphasized. The Apostle Paul said, “to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Eph. 3:10, 11.

                The church, those who have been called out of the world into the service of God, should be of great importance to you if you desire and intend to be pleasing to God. Our consideration in this, ask the question, “do you realize that your attitude toward the church, the one Jesus built will affect your eternal condition?”

                Being “called out” of the world into service to God is the greatest calling mankind will ever receive. This calling is of such importance the Apostle Paul said, “wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure”. II Peter 1:10. There are three terms to consider from this text. (1) Calling. (2) Election. (3)Sure.

                The “calling” in II Peter 1:10, is always used in the NT of that “calling” the origin, nature and destiny of which are heavenly, the idea of invitation being implied. It is used especially of God’s invitation to man to accept the benefits of salvation (Vines). Of this calling, Paul said, “but we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, for that God chose you from the beginning unto salvation and sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. Whereunto he called you, to through our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ”. II Thes. 2:13, 14.it should being noted here Paul is speaking to brethren, those who had been taught and had appropriately responded. Romans 1; 16, “for I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to everyone that believeth”. It is the only means by which God has chosen to call men.

                The “election” of II Peter 1:10, denotes “a picking out, selection”. The Apostle Paul used the term, saying, “knowing brethren, beloved of God, your election how that our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power”. I Thes. 1:4, 5, and refers not to the church collectively, but to the individuals constituting it. The Apostle assurance of their election gives the reason for his thanksgiving (Vines) and thus Peter says in II Peter 1:10, “believers are to give more diligence to make your calling and election sure”.

                The “sure” in II Peter 1:10, denotes “firm, steadfast”, thus “the calling and election of believers was to be made. How? II Peter 1:5-7, “but also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge. To knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness. To godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love”. Verse 8, Peter states, “for if these things are yours and abound, you will neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ”.

                Jesus said, “come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light”.   

- CL Bruner