Are You Really Among Those God Has Called and Chosen? 2 PETER 1:5-11

iNTRODUCTION Having learned of your election, you could either be “Floaters “ or” swimmers” Whatever attitude you take “will prove that you really are among those god has called and chosen” (2peter 1:10) KJV “CONFIRM YOUR ELECTION”

THE SOURCE OF GODLINESS The source of godliness is god’s divine power ( 2peter 1:1-4 ) Our goal is life and godliness The source of strength to become godly is divine power The activating connection between the goal of godliness and the source of divine power is knowing and trusting the promises of god.

The logic of godliness (v5-7) God has given power for godliness, strive to be godly (v 3- 4 then connected by 5-7 by the word-in view of all this. This is the heart of new testament ethics. We labour for virtue because god has already laboured for us and is at work in us. Don’t reverse the order lest it becomes another gospel. Phil.2:13, phil.3.12, Take pains not to live unworthy of his love

March forward !!!!! (v 5-7) Faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, godliness, brotherly affection, love for everyone. List starts with faith and ends in love True Christians do not stop pursuing growth in grace (2peter 3:18). They advance. They apply themselves with diligence to increase in these things Holy dissatisfaction with our present attainments

FLOATING NOT AN OPTION- SWIM The tide of temptation is too strong (1 peter 5:8) Christians who just float never stay in the same place . Its even an effort to stand still We float and we could be swept and drift away into being unproductive and useless (v8) The evidence of god’s power (given to you by faith) is making every effort (swim) to advance in the qualities of Christ. Put into practice what you have learned (James 1:22. 2:17) Our faith should produce good deeds (the evidence)

What happens if we just float? (v9) Blind in two directions if we quit swimming When looking into the future, its all haze and the promises of god are swallowed up in a blur of worldly longings (short sighted) When looking into the past –the forgiveness given to him is forgotten –just an empty prayer and ritual… Blindness to the past and future work of god blocks his power and leaves us weak and just floating and drifting…

What is at stake if we are just floating? Verse 10 makes it clear “ work hard to prove that you really are among those god has called and chosen. Blindness, powerlessness and fruitlessness may be a sign that we were never called and not among the chosen Don’t be confused and say this is works. It is not… Our zeal to advance to Christlikeness is thru divine power which flows thru our knowledge of god (through the spirit 2 thes 2:13).this confirms our election…

sanctification AND ASSURANCE THE CONFIRMATION OF YOUR ELECTION IS YOUR PROGRESS IN SANCTIFICATION God chose us to become like his son (romans 8:29). The reassuring evidence that god has called and chosen us is our growth to become like Christ thru the process of sanctification 2 cor 3:18-and the lord who is the spirit makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

Therefore.. The final result (v11) Virtue, knowledge, self control, patience, godliness, brotherly affection (v5-7)-are not our entrance fee to eternal kingdom. They are the necessary evidence that our trust in god’s promise is genuine- they are the confirmation that we are really called and chosen by god..

Application… Are we making every effort towards moral excellence? to increase our knowledge of god’s character and will To strengthen our power of self control To enlarge capacity for patience To cultivate a heart for god To grow warm in our affection for our fellow believers To stir up love even to the person we dislike If this things are in us and increasing we will not be fruitless (v8 ) and not stumble (v10 ) and enter the eternal kingdom (v11) 1 tim 6:12, hebrew12:1, phil 3:14)