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.
