As believers, one of the most profound desires of our hearts should be to be sure of our calling and election in Christ. The assurance that we are God’s children, forgiven of our sins, and on our way to heaven is something that transforms our lives. It changes the way we live, the way we see the world, and the way we relate to others. However, this assurance doesn’t come automatically. It requires diligence, intentional growth, and a steadfast commitment to pursue the virtues that Peter outlines for us in Scripture.
The Importance of Making Our Calling and Election Sure
In 2 Peter 1:5-10, the apostle Peter urges believers to diligently add certain virtues to their faith, emphasizing that this is the path to making our calling and election sure. But what does this really mean? And why is it so essential for our spiritual growth?
First, let’s break down the passage from 2 Peter 1. Peter encourages us to add to our faith virtue (moral excellence), knowledge, temperance (self-control), patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity (love). These are not just abstract concepts; they are practical virtues that should characterize every believer’s life. When we grow in these qualities, we build a strong foundation for our faith, and we are continually reminded of the grace and power of God at work in us.
The result of cultivating these virtues is the assurance of our salvation. Peter explains that if we “make these things abound,” we will “neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:8). In other words, when we actively pursue these godly traits, we will see the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, and this fruit will serve as evidence of our calling and election. This is the way we make our calling and election sure—by actively living out our faith in a way that aligns with God’s will and reveals the transformative power of His grace.
The idea of “making our calling and election sure” can be both comforting and challenging. It is comforting because it speaks to the security of our salvation. When we walk in these virtues, we are not striving for perfection, but we are cooperating with God’s work in us, and we can rest assured that we are His children. On the other hand, it’s challenging because it requires effort. It’s not enough to simply believe in Christ; we must also seek to grow in Him, adding to our faith the qualities that Peter lists.
Spiritual Blindness and Its Dangers
However, there is a significant danger for those who fail to grow in these virtues. Peter warns that if we neglect to add these graces to our lives, we will become spiritually blind. He says, “he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off” (2 Peter 1:9). This blindness is not about physical sight but about spiritual discernment. When we fail to grow in godliness, we lose our ability to see the deeper, eternal truths of God’s kingdom. We become shortsighted, focused on the temporal rather than the eternal.
This spiritual blindness is dangerous because it can lead to a loss of assurance. A believer who neglects these qualities may forget the foundational truths of their salvation—the fact that they were once sinners, but have been forgiven through the blood of Christ, and are now heirs of eternal life. As a result, they may become complacent in their faith, more influenced by the world around them than by the Word of God.
Spiritual blindness doesn’t just affect us as individuals; it can also impact those around us. A believer who is spiritually blind may become a hindrance to others in their faith journey. Instead of offering guidance, wisdom, and encouragement, they may contribute to confusion and uncertainty. This is why it is so crucial to pay attention to Peter’s warning and strive to grow in the virtues that make our calling and election sure.
Cultivating the Graces That Lead to Assurance
Now that we’ve explored the dangers of spiritual blindness, let’s take a closer look at how we can actively cultivate the virtues Peter mentions in 2 Peter 1. These graces are not just random qualities; they are the building blocks of a fruitful, thriving Christian life.
- Virtue (Moral Excellence): This refers to living a life of integrity and purity, standing firm in what is good and right. It’s about making decisions that honor God, regardless of the pressures of the world. Moral excellence means pursuing holiness and rejecting sin, not because we are trying to earn our salvation, but because we are grateful for the salvation we have already received.
- Knowledge: Knowledge is the foundation of wisdom. As we grow in our understanding of God’s Word and His ways, we become better equipped to navigate life’s challenges and make decisions that align with His will. Knowledge also deepens our relationship with God, helping us to know Him more intimately and to trust Him more fully.
- Temperance (Self-Control): Self-control is the ability to resist temptation and remain faithful to God’s commands. It’s about saying “no” to our fleshly desires and saying “yes” to the things that bring glory to God. Self-control is not about perfection but about consistently choosing to honor God with our thoughts, actions, and words.
- Patience: Patience is essential for enduring the trials of life with grace and perseverance. It’s about trusting God’s timing, even when things are difficult or when we face unexpected challenges. Patience also involves being long-suffering with others, bearing with their shortcomings and extending grace just as God has done for us.
- Godliness: Godliness is living with reverence and awe before God. It’s about recognizing His holiness and seeking to live in a way that reflects His character. Godliness involves prioritizing God’s will above our own and seeking to please Him in all things.
- Brotherly Kindness: This refers to the love and care we show to our fellow believers. It’s about building relationships within the body of Christ, supporting one another, and seeking to meet each other’s needs. Brotherly kindness reflects the love that Christ has for us and is a powerful testimony to the world of the unity and love found in the Church.
- Charity (Universal Love): Charity, or love, is the greatest virtue of all. It’s the sacrificial love that God has shown to us, and it’s the love we are called to extend to others—both believers and non-believers. Charity involves seeking the good of others, even at great personal cost, and is the ultimate expression of our faith in Christ.
As we diligently pursue these virtues, we are not only making our calling and election sure but also growing in the joy and assurance of our salvation. The more we walk in these graces, the more we will experience the reality of heaven in our hearts and the more we will be able to shine as lights in a dark world.
The Joy of Assurance and the Danger of Worldliness
When we live with the assurance of our salvation, the things of this world no longer hold the same appeal. The temporary pleasures and distractions of life fade in comparison to the eternal joy that comes from knowing Christ. We become less concerned with money, status, and worldly approval and more focused on the treasures of heaven.
This is not to say that we should neglect our responsibilities in this world or ignore the needs of others. On the contrary, when we live with the certainty of our calling and election, we are more motivated to serve others and to be a light in this dark world. But the key is that our hearts are set on heavenly things, not earthly things. As Colossians 3:2 tells us, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
Conclusion: Pressing On Toward the Goal
The path to making our calling and election sure is one of diligent effort, intentional growth, and unwavering commitment to the virtues Peter outlines in 2 Peter 1. As we grow in virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity, we gain confidence in our salvation and assurance that we are walking the path toward heaven.
Let us, therefore, press on, aiming to live with certainty of our heavenly destination. Let us seek to grow in these graces, so that our lives may bear fruit for the glory of God and that we may experience the joy and peace that comes from knowing that we are His children, secure in His love.
“How deeply important, therefore, that we should cultivate these graces! For if we neglect them, we shall be spiritually blind; but if we grow in them, we shall not only make our calling and election sure, but we shall also experience the fullness of God’s joy and peace in our lives.” Counsel to Christians by George Muller
This post is inspired by the book Counsel to Christians by George Müller.
I found this text deeply thought-provoking, especially the emphasis on the balance between God’s grace and our active participation in spiritual growth. The idea that assurance doesn’t come automatically but requires diligence really struck me. It’s comforting to know that we don’t have to strive for perfection, yet it’s also challenging because it demands intentional effort. I wonder, though, how do we practically apply this in our daily lives without falling into legalism? The warning about spiritual blindness is sobering, and it makes me reflect on areas in my own life where I might be neglecting growth. Do you think it’s possible to regain that spiritual discernment once it’s lost, or does it require a complete spiritual renewal? I’d love to hear your thoughts on how you’ve experienced this balance between assurance and effort in your faith journey.
This text really resonates with me, especially the emphasis on the importance of spiritual growth and the virtues Peter outlines. It’s comforting to know that our salvation is secure, but it’s also a call to action—we can’t just sit back and expect growth to happen on its own. I’ve often wondered, though, how do we balance this effort with the idea of grace? Isn’t grace supposed to be unearned? The warning about spiritual blindness is sobering, and it makes me reflect on areas in my own life where I might be neglecting growth. Do you think it’s possible to fully avoid this blindness, or is it something we all struggle with at times? I’d love to hear your thoughts on how you’ve experienced this in your own walk with Christ.
The text emphasizes the importance of spiritual growth and the virtues outlined by Peter in ensuring our calling and election in Christ.
This is a really thought-provoking reflection on the balance between God’s grace and our responsibility in spiritual growth. It’s comforting to know that our salvation is secure, yet the call to actively pursue virtues like faith, goodness, and self-control is undeniably challenging. Do you think it’s possible to ever fully achieve these qualities, or is the pursuit itself what matters? I also wonder how one can practically “add” these virtues daily without feeling overwhelmed. The warning about spiritual blindness is particularly striking—how do you think we can guard against losing that eternal perspective in the midst of life’s distractions? What’s your take on the idea that neglecting these virtues could lead to a loss of assurance? I’d love to hear your thoughts on how you balance grace and effort in your own journey.
It’s fascinating how Peter emphasizes the importance of actively growing in virtues to secure our calling and election. The idea that assurance isn’t automatic but requires effort is both challenging and motivating. I wonder, though, how do we balance this diligence with the grace that’s already given to us? Isn’t there a risk of turning this into a works-based mindset? The warning about spiritual blindness is sobering—it’s easy to get caught up in the temporary and lose sight of the eternal. But how do we practically avoid this in our daily lives? Do you think the modern church focuses enough on this balance between grace and growth? I’d love to hear your thoughts on how we can cultivate these virtues without losing the joy of our salvation. What’s your take on Peter’s call to “make our calling and election sure”?
The assurance of our calling and election in Christ is indeed a transformative truth. It’s fascinating how Peter emphasizes the active role we must play in our spiritual growth, rather than passively waiting for assurance to come. The idea of adding virtues to our faith is both inspiring and daunting—it’s a reminder that our relationship with God is a dynamic journey, not a static state. However, I wonder, how do we balance this effort with the understanding that salvation is a gift of grace? Isn’t there a risk of slipping into a works-based mindset? The warning about spiritual blindness is sobering, but it also raises questions about how we can practically cultivate these virtues in our daily lives. What would you say is the most challenging virtue to develop, and why? I’d love to hear your thoughts on how we can stay focused on the eternal while navigating the distractions of the temporal.
This text really resonates with me, especially the emphasis on the importance of spiritual growth and the virtues Peter outlines. It’s comforting to know that our salvation is secure, but it’s also a call to action—we can’t just sit back and expect growth to happen on its own. The idea of spiritual blindness is particularly striking; it’s a reminder of how easy it is to lose sight of what truly matters if we’re not intentional. I wonder, though, how do we balance this pursuit of virtues with the grace that’s already been given to us? Isn’t there a risk of becoming too focused on our own efforts rather than relying on God’s work in us? I’d love to hear your thoughts on how to practically apply these principles in daily life without falling into legalism. What does “making our calling and election sure” look like for you personally?
Understanding our calling and election in Christ is indeed a transformative journey. The emphasis on adding virtues to our faith is a powerful reminder that spiritual growth is an active process, not a passive one. It’s comforting to know that our salvation is secure, yet the call to grow in godliness challenges us to move beyond complacency. The warning about spiritual blindness is particularly striking—it highlights the importance of staying vigilant in our walk with Christ. I wonder, though, how do we balance this pursuit of virtues with the grace that God freely gives? Isn’t there a risk of becoming legalistic in our efforts? What are your thoughts on maintaining this balance while ensuring our spiritual growth remains rooted in grace?
The concept of making our calling and election sure is indeed both inspiring and demanding. It’s reassuring to know that our salvation is secure in Christ, yet it’s a call to active participation in our spiritual growth. The emphasis on virtues like faith, goodness, and self-control challenges us to reflect deeply on how we live out our faith daily. It’s fascinating how Peter connects spiritual growth with the clarity of our spiritual vision. Without these virtues, we risk becoming shortsighted, losing sight of God’s eternal truths. This passage makes me wonder, how can we practically cultivate these virtues in our busy lives? It’s a reminder that spiritual maturity isn’t accidental but requires intentional effort. What steps can we take to ensure we’re not neglecting these essential qualities in our walk with Christ? This text provokes a sense of urgency to evaluate our spiritual growth—how would you assess your own progress in adding these virtues to your faith?
This text offers such a clear and thoughtful perspective on the importance of spiritual growth and assurance in our faith. I appreciate how it emphasizes the balance between comfort and challenge—knowing we’re secure in Christ but also being called to actively grow in Him. The idea of adding virtues to our faith is powerful, but I wonder, how do we practically incorporate these into our daily lives without feeling overwhelmed? It’s easy to focus on the eternal, but in a world full of distractions, how do we maintain that focus? Also, the warning about spiritual blindness is sobering—do you think this is something many believers overlook or underestimate? Personally, I feel inspired to reflect on where I might need growth, but I’m curious—what specific steps have you found helpful in cultivating these virtues? What would you say to someone who feels stuck in their spiritual journey? Let’s discuss this further—I’d love to hear your thoughts!
This text really resonates with me because it highlights the importance of active faith and spiritual growth. It’s comforting to know that our salvation is secure, but the challenge of adding virtues to our faith is something I often wrestle with. Peter’s warning about spiritual blindness is a powerful reminder of the consequences of stagnation in our spiritual journey. I wonder, though, how do we practically balance this effort with the truth that salvation is a gift and not earned? Sometimes it feels like we’re walking a fine line between striving and resting in grace. What steps can we take to ensure we’re growing without falling into legalism? I’d love to hear your thoughts on how you personally approach this tension.
This text really makes me think deeply about my faith journey. The idea of “making our calling and election sure” is both inspiring and a little intimidating. I love how it emphasizes that our assurance in Christ isn’t just about belief but also about growing in virtues like goodness, knowledge, and self-control. But honestly, I struggle with the practical side of this – how do I consistently add these virtues to my life without feeling overwhelmed?
Peter’s warning about spiritual blindness is so convicting. It’s scary to think that neglecting these virtues could lead to losing sight of eternal truths. I wonder, though, how do we balance this intentional growth with the grace and freedom we have in Christ? Isn’t there a risk of turning this into a works-based mindset?
What’s your take on this? How do you navigate the tension between effort and resting in God’s grace? I’d love to hear your thoughts!