Second Epistle of Peter
FURTHER BENEFITS FROM ADDING TO FAITH
Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 1:10 (KJV)
If we cultivate the virtues of verses 5-7, we need not question our calling and election, and others will not question them either. We need to develop and cultivate these virtues to keep from backsliding.
"Wherefore the rather"
The word, "wherefore" refers back to verse 9. Instead of lacking the characteristics of verses 5-7 and being blind and near sighted (forgetting that we are purged from our sins), let us be diligent to make our calling and election sure by cultivating them. In other words, it is necessary to achieve (at least in part by human effort) those things enumerated in verses 5-7. How anxious the apostle is that his readers go on to faithful Christian living.
"brethren"
Unlike James, Peter rarely uses the expression "brethren". In five chapters, James uses it fifteen times. This is the only time we find it in 2 Peter and we have it only three times in 1 Peter. It is a term used extensively throughout the New Testament. It is indeed a wonderful thing to be one of the brethren. It is well to remember that every child of God is one of the brethren. We should acknowledge and treat them as such. It is a word which denotes nearness and dearness. The apostle desires that his readers realize that he loves them and is not above them, but closely linked to them in the bonds of Christ.
"give diligence"
This is the second time Peter exhorts his readers to diligence (1:5). How anxious he is that they serve, yea, strain every nerve to develop these wonderful Christian virtues. The apostle desires that we truly work at becoming Christ-like. Remember, the enemy is ever diligent to hinder us and it takes real alertness to progress in spite of him.
"to make your calling and election sure"
Election has been a subject greatly discussed among Christians. It has been difficult for many to reconcile it with mankind's free will, which without question is also taught in the Word of God. Because of this difficulty, many have cast aside one or the other. Some today preach nothing but election, while others have no room for it at all. It is only in man's mind that they are contradictory, but, even if they seem so, it is no reason to disbelieve either one. Both are certainly needed for an understanding of God and to preach the Gospel.
In Holy Scripture, election is viewed from various angles. We are elect or chosen out of the world (John 15:19). We are elected to salvation (1 Thess. 1:4, 5). We are chosen to some special service (Acts 9:15; also see 1 Pet. 2:9). We are elected to be conformed to the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29). This is all according to the counsel of His own will (Eph. 1:11). The election of God in no way lessens our responsibility to repent and obey the Gospel of Christ. We read in Acts 17:30, "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent."
It is a wonderful thing to be one of God's children. It is better to be in His family than to be elected by the people as a senator or even as president. It is like a rich man going through an orphanage and selecting certain children to be adopted into his family. It is wonderful to know that by accepting His Son, Jesus Christ, and obeying the Gospel we have been forgiven and chosen to be in His family for eternity.
However, teaching election to the unsaved does not seem wise. It's a family secret, enjoyably sweet to those who are saved, but could produce a fatalistic spirit in those who are not. One with such a spirit might say, "There is nothing I can do about it; if I am one of the elect I will be saved, if not, I will not." Such a one will probably not respond to the Gospel message.
"I am one of the elect of God," said one. "That is strange," said the other, "I didn't know you were even a candidate." The unsaved shouldn't be worried about his or her election, but coming to God as a contrite sinner, desiring salvation, pleading the work of Christ as the ground for God's forgiveness. After one is truly saved, then he can say, "Chosen in Him before the foundation of the world" (Eph. 1:4).
Someone was heard to say, "You talk as though you know you are saved. No one can be sure of that in this life." Someone else added, "To be sure of salvation is pure presumption." However, there are many Scriptures which show us that we can know. Some would put the word "hope" into many verses of Scripture where it really is "know" or "surely." In Psalm 23:6 David does not say, "I hope goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I hope I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." He says "surely" and "I will." Such words of assurance are everywhere in the New Testament (1 John 5:13, etc.).
Of course, it is presumption to say you are saved or one of the elect, if you have never been born again, i.e., saved, and are not living a life which proves you are saved. Obviously, there are many today who think they are saved yet they have little or no knowledge of the Lord. This kind of false confidence is ruinous, for one usually will not seek for that which he thinks he already has. If one thinks he is saved when he is not, he will be proud and haughty. Do our lives cause others to think that we are one of the elect?
There are those children of God who lack assurance of salvation. This is injurious to a true Christian and hinders testimony. Such a one has no peace of mind or heart and is not happy. How can such a one tell others to trust and obey Christ, without being sure of belonging to Him? When there is certainty the mind is set free, the heart is filled with thankfulness and praise to God. We can consider our own case as settled and pray for and witness to others. Certainty of our election has a tendency to make us brave in service to Christ.
Can you recall the day of your conversion? Do you testify of this to others? Still, this will not convince others of your election unless they see a changed life as the fruit of salvation. When we live the Christian life we prove that we are one. If we do not in some measure manifest the virtues of verses 5-7 we really have no business claiming we are one of the elect. We know a tree by its fruit. We do not question that an apple tree is an apple tree if it produces apples. Neither do we question that a Christian is a Christian, if a Christ-like life is being lived. If these Christian excellences abound in us, we, nor anyone else, need be concerned about our election. "The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever" (Is. 32:17). Yes, we are one of the chosen, if we daily choose the will of God. To get out of the doubting state, get out of the idle state.
Some might let the knowledge of their election be a reason for sloth and idleness. They might say to themselves, "I am saved, one of the Lord's elect, so the rest does not matter all that much." This is the opposite of our verse. It says we can only be sure of our election if we are diligent to serve the Lord and seeking to develop a character like unto Christ. So the knowledge of our election should be a spur to diligence, not to slothfulness. Far too many of us seem to think that salvation is only a past work and forget that it is a life obtained which must be lived day by day. When we live for Christ we prove that we have life from Christ.
"if ye do these things"
Calling and election are two of the biggest theological words in the New Testament; and this verse is invaluable in the revelation that neither calling nor election is a thing finally and irrevocably determined by God apart from what the Christian himself does. Why do we say this? Because any thought of impossibility regarding a Christian falling away and being lost is far away from the apostle's mind in his statement – "If" ye do these things. As Payne put it: "Note the emphasis on God's initiative and man's response; both are essential, or the Christian may fall (literally stumble)" [David F. Payne, A New Testament Commentary, p. 600]. Wheaton said, "Peter even hints at the possibility that one can fall from grace" [James William Russell, op. cit., p. 590].
This word “if” appears frequently in the New Testament suggesting there is a vital and necessary contribution that man himself must make in the direction of his salvation.
Trusting and Obeying Jesus Christ, obedience to the commands of the Word of God, will always bring salvation, but doing is the natural effect and proof of salvation. That is why the Scriptures speak so often of doing the will of God. In Psalm 15:5 we read, "He that doeth these things shall never be moved." The Lord Jesus says, "Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them" (Matt. 7:24). "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them" (John 13:17). James is full of the teaching that we must be "doers of the word, and not hearers only" (James 1:22). Our verse says, "If ye do these things [of vv. 5-7], ye shall never fall."
"never fall"
Instead of "fall" the Revised Version has "stumble." The picture is of a man stumbling in a race, i.e., falling into sin or becoming backslidden in heart toward the Lord. If we continue in the faith and do the things mentioned in our verses (5-7), we will not lose our souls. As long as we continue in the faith we will not lose our salvation. Jesus Christ paid too great a price for our salvation to let one whom He has redeemed get away from Him because of our human inability to withstand all sin. Each of sin, but a Christian will not continue in sin. Paul says, "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day" (2 Tim. 1:12 also 1 Pet. 1:5).
However, it is possible for even a true and faithful Christian to fall into sin, as Peter himself did. He denied his Lord three times, the last time cursing and swearing. At that time he had not yet added to his faith, virtue or courage. It was because of cowardice that he denied his Lord. If we are not cautious we may do the same. Perhaps because of this failing, Peter first mentions courage as needful to add to our faith. As we develop one after the other of these Christ-like virtues, there is less and less likelihood of our stumbling into sin or getting away from the Lord in heart.
Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 1:11 (KJV)
"an entrance"
Here we have another benefit derived from adding to our faith the virtues of verses 5-7. We will be given not only an entrance, but an abundant entrance "into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." The Lord Jesus says, "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved" (John 10:9). Christ is the door to heaven. Only as we put our trust and obedience in Him will we be given admittance. Our verse put this admittance as yet future, "So an entrance shall be administered unto you." When are we admitted into this kingdom? In some senses we are in it the moment we are saved, but at the time of death or of the coming of the Lord, whichever comes first in our experience we shall enter into the eternal world. Our verse speaks of more than just an entrance into this kingdom; it speaks of an abundant entrance.
"ministered unto you"
The word translated "ministered" is the same as translated "added" in verse 5. As we add virtue upon virtue to our Christian character, so there will be added unto us an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom. Our rewards and positions in that kingdom are dependent on how we live for Christ down here.
"abundantly"
The first part of this verse reads in the Revised Version: "For thus shall be richly supplied unto you the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." Some say, "Just so I make it that is all I care about." Do we want to be like a boat so badly beaten by the storm that it must be dragged into the harbor; or do we want to be like one with sails all set, colors flying, the band playing with a grand welcome party waiting for it on the dock?
Some have thought of this abundant entrance as a glorious home going, a victorious deathbed. If our life has been one of devotion to Christ, we need have no fear of the dark valley. He will lead us safely through and home to Himself. Every earnest effort to live for Christ is so much sunshine for the dark valley. If we desire this victorious deathbed, let us work to develop the Christ-like character suggested in our chapter. Those who have manifested this diligence will not only have an entrance, but an entrance "richly supplied" (R.V.). Such can say with the apostle Paul, "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness" (2 Tim. 4:8). But let us never forget that the crown worn there must be won here.
"the everlasting kingdom"
The abundant entrance of the diligent is into the "everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." Some have made a great distinction here between the kingdom and the Father's house. As faithful children in the family, fruit of Christ's work, we are all on the same level and will as such enter into the Father's house. However, in the kingdom, as subjects of the King, the position, rewards, and service may vary. These things are dependent on how we live for Him down here. In Revelation 3:21 the Lord Jesus says, "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne." When the Scriptures speak of His kingdom it in some way always refers to the government of God.
"everlasting"
Earthly kingdoms soon fade away and are gone, but the kingdom of our Lord is everlasting. "Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end" (Is. 9:7). Some think of this kingdom as a millennium kingdom, but that is only for 1,000 years. The kingdom here mentioned is forever – it will never pass away. There will never be any revolutions or elections in this kingdom; our Lord will reign over it throughout eternity. Satan will make one last desperate effort to overthrow it, but he will fail (Rev. 20:7-9). Whatever rewards we receive from Him in that kingdom will be eternal, even as the kingdom and the King are eternal.
It is nice to realize that our Savior will be the King in that kingdom. He is entitled to reign as the King not only in His own right, but because He has been the mighty victor. He has conquered sin, death, hell, and the grave. He defeated the great imposter Satan and will soon have him out of the way – "That through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil" (Heb. 2:14). From 1 Corinthians 15:24-28, some have thought that the time would come when Christ would cease to reign, but this refers to Him as the Son of man. As the Son of man, He shall someday deliver the kingdom into the hands of the Father, but as the Son of God, He shall continue to reign through all ages to come. "The throne of God and the lamb shall be in it" (Rom. 22:3). "His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away" (Dan. 7:14). Do we now see the importance of cultivating the excellences of verses 5-7? Our position and rewards in this everlasting kingdom will be according to the way we have advanced in these virtues.
