2 Peter 3:1
“This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder,”
Chapter 2 concluded with a warning not to fall away. It was a scary portrayal of someone who had an experience with Christ who walked away. He says in verse 20, “the last state is worse than the first”.
Peter says in 2:10, 11 “Therefore, brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things you will never stumble, and you will receive a lavish reception into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” He tells us to check ourselves to see if we are of the faith. I thought I was a christian due to my church upbringing. I wasn’t. It’s possible to think we are in the faith, and not be.
How do we make our calling sure? I’m assuming we’ve already received Christ. That’s step one; to ask His forgiveness and to submit to His lordship. Secondly, as we read the scriptures, do we do what it says? Our lives should be consistent with God’s Word. It takes time. Fortunately, He doesn’t bring everything to light at the start. In fact, it’s a lifetime process. The formal title is sanctification. We become more like Christ each day. It’s incremental and slow.
Do we feel God’s presence and His interaction in us? Romans 8:16 says, “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” We feel His reassuring presence. That’s the best part of knowing Christ. There’s a peace and a comfort that accompanies it. This is what made the apostles so bold in life and in death. These were ordinary men. Yet they all did heroic things. Most died martyrs deaths. God’s presence with in gave them the boldness.
We aren’t stagnant and stationary in the faith. We are either growing closer to Him or drifting away. Peter tells us to verify that we are drawing near.
Lord, help us to always draw near to You.