Take Root #27

 Day 27 

2 Peter 1:10-15

“10 Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choice of you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.12 Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them and have been established in the truth which is present with you. 13 I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind.”

Peter makes an interesting statement – encouraging them to be “more diligent to make certain about His calling and choice of you.” 

This seems like an odd declaration.  It is God who calls and yet our diligence makes it more certain? This is a flash point in some denominations, yet Peter speaks of it almost casually.  

There is no question we are saved by grace through faith and even the faith is a gift …. yet Peter says our diligence confirms that gift.  

As we have said earlier - Apples do not make a tree an apple tree – but they prove that it is an apple tree.  So, our conduct should prove whom we belong to…obviously not perfect until we are perfected in the resurrection, but we should be focused (diligent) on getting more and more like Christ each day and that focus will keep us from stumbling.  

Jesus said follow me – that is an active verb – we often wrangle over theological positions which is fine – but we must keep following as that was the original order and that is what is required. It is wise to spend time contemplating things you do not understand in the bible…but make sure you spend more time living out what you do understand. 


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