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(2 Peter 1:10 ERV) My brothers and sisters, God called you and chose you to be his. Do your best to live in a way that shows you really are God’s called and chosen people. If you do all this, you will never fall.
This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing with our mini-series entitled, “Growing in Grace.” It took us a couple of weeks to get through verses 5-9. Today we take a look at verse 10. The reason Peter urged us to add “good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love” to our faith, is so that we can live in a way that shows we are God’s called and chosen people. Another translation of this verse reads, “Make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. God called you from the foundations of the world by His unearned grace. We have covered this truth over and over again in this series. You are not a mistake. You were born WHEN you were and WHERE you were, because of WHY you were. You are here for God’s divine purpose.
2. God’s calling by grace is His part, living by faith in pursuit of that calling is your part. Knowing that God called you by His unearned grace is one thing, but living your life in accordance with that calling is something else altogether. That is why the Apostle Peter commands us to grow in grace by growing in the knowledge of God. The more we learn of God, the more He will reveal to us about our purpose, and the better positioned we will be to actually fulfill it. But make no mistake, the Father expects you to put in the work required to maximize your purpose and potential in life. God called you, but He will not force you to walk in your calling, nor will He ‘twist your arm’ to be blessed. God called you and He wants to bless you richly, but you must make the decisions that take you down the path to His expected end for your life. God called you by grace, you must pursue that calling by faith.
3. Your actions tell a story. Peter said, “Do your best to live in a way that shows you really are God’s called and chosen people.” Peter knew that our actions speak louder than our words.
a. Jesus said, “By their fruit you will recognize them” (Mat 7:16). Your life is like a tree that is constantly producing fruit. Good or bad, righteous or unrighteous, the fruit of your life is on display for all the world to see. What is your fruit saying about you?
b. Solomon said, “Even children show what they are like by the things they do. You can see if their actions are pure and right” (Prov 20:11). Young or old, male or female, rich or poor, Black or White, Hispanic or Asian… your actions tell everyone who you really are.
c. God expects your video to match your audio. Paul taught us that there would be people who claim to know God, but their actions will prove they really don’t (Titus 1:16). John said that the person who claims to know God, but does not obey His commands, is actually a liar, and the truth is not in him (1 John 2:4). You claim to know and love God. You claim to be called of God to do great things. But if your actions don’t line up with your claims, then you are living a lie. God expects you to “Make every effort to confirm your calling” and to “make your election sure.” Are you? If not, it is time to make some changes.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for Your Word. Your Word reminds me this morning that I must do my part to maximize my purpose and potential in life. You made plans for me before the world began. You made plans to prosper me, to bless me richly and to use me for Your glory. You made those plans by grace; completely unearned and unmerited. You revealed Your plans to me and You now expect me to live my life in accordance with those plans, by faith. You blessed me by Your grace and I now pursue that blessing with my faith. I live my life in a way that proves I am called. I am not ashamed of my calling or my God. I have told everyone I know about You and about what You have called me to do. I must now live my life in alignment with my divine assignment. I want my video to match my audio. By faith I declare that my life produces fruit that is pleasing in Your sight. People are able to SEE my faith. My actions are on display and they are actions of faith, hope and love. I make every effort to confirm my calling and to make my election sure. My actions will tell the world that I am a child of the Most High God and I am not ashamed of my God or my calling. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
