Make Your Call and Election Sure: Part 1

Assurance, False Teachers, and the Call to Make Election Sure

We're going to continue our series here, and we're looking to 2 Peter chapter 1. It's foundational of everything else he's about to say in chapter 2 and chapter 3. Chapter 2 he's about to go into warnings about false teachers.

We really need to hear this, especially in our day. I don't think there's ever been a day where there's so many false teachers. So many false teachers deceiving people. But he first goes to the genuine.

He first goes to the authentic. How the true believer looks like. In this particular section, he's talking about assurance. Our assurance, salvation, make your call and election sure. Make your call and election sure.

So this will be a blessing to you, I believe. It's been a blessing to me as I've been studying through this. So in saying that, please turn with me if you're not already there. As we continue our study, the book of 2 Peter, 2 Peter chapter 1.

We're looking at 2 verses. I don't know how many parts this is going to come out to be. Maybe 2, maybe 3 parts. But I believe it's necessary for each and every one of us to make our call and election sure.

It's critical. This is so important. Well, everything in God's Word is important, right? And notice this is something only you could do personally. And as God helps you, graces you. And what I mean by that is, the pastor can't do it for you.

Your mother or brother or sister or whoever can't do it for you. Your husband, your wife cannot do it for you. It must go to God yourself. As we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ one day personally.

And given a personal account to God. We must make sure that our call and election is sure. And what I like about this is the apostle Peter is really giving an exhortation to this. It's not necessarily a warning.

It's an admonition. And there are warnings that come in it. But it's more of an exhortation than anything.

And what does that tell you about the heart of God?

God wants us to have satisfaction in Him. Joy in Him. David cried out, Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation. Why did he say that? Number one, because he sinned against the Lord. And if you notice in Psalm 51, he's repenting.

And he needs that restoration of that joy. He lost fellowship with God. He knew he wasn't going to slip into hell. But he knew that sin separated him from God. He knew he was a child of God. So that's what sin does.

It severs our relationship with God. You can still be a child of God. You just don't have that assurance. You see what I'm saying? Now there's a lot of people out there. I want to say this at the forefront.

There's a lot of people that's never been there in the first place. That never has been born again in the first place. They play religious. They play religion.

They play church.

They call Jesus Lord. They can come in and sing the hymns. They can go through the emotions. But they do not have the seed of faith in them. They're not growing in grace. In the knowledge of God. They're not growing in having the fruits of righteousness and holiness.

But this is to the believer. Now those are the people that really need to come to the foot of the cross. And stop playing church. Repent of being religious. And repent. Be converted. And believe the gospel.

They need to be born again. Right? Those are the professors. That a lot of people profess or they possess. One of the two. But this is to the real believer that possesses. And a lot of times, I don't know about you, I struggle with the assurance of my salvation.

I'm going to be honest about it. And what makes that struggle very real and apparent is the sin. As David was praying, Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation. A lot of times that joy and that peace seems to be out there because the sin I am fighting with and the sin that I've chosen to fall into at times has severed that relationship.

That fellowship. So that's what really Peter is going after here. And notice in verse 10 and 11. Hear the word of the living God. Therefore, brethren.

Notice what he says.

Brethren. He's speaking to God's people. Be even more diligent to make your call and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble. Verse 11. For so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly in the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Let's have a word of prayer. May God richly bless His words to our hearts this morning. Our Father and our God. Lord, we thank You for this wonderful privilege that we have to open up Your word this morning.

And Lord, we just pray that it thus says the Lord speaks. Not the opinion of this preacher. But Your opinion. What thus says the Lord says. And Lord, we're so thankful that we have Your word.

It is eternal.

And it will never pass away. We acknowledge, Lord, that each and every one of us today, we confess to You that we do not live by bread alone. But by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. And as we turn to the Bible now.

To the truth.

The very truth that guides and directs us into eternal life.

We would ask help.

Because we need it, Lord. We need help of Your blessed Holy Spirit. Because without the Holy Spirit, we will not see the truth. He is the Spirit of truth. He is that truth that sanctifies us.

Holy.

As we sung about. So Lord, help us that we may be useful.

For Your kingdom.

In this depraved world. For Your glory. And our cry today, Lord, is may we see Jesus. High and lifted up. That's our prayer this morning, Lord. Transform us more and more into His beauty and His likeness.

And we ask this in the wonderful name of Jesus.

Amen.

Diligence, Sanctification, and the Believer's Responsibility

But this is no doubt a clear command. That's found in verse 10. A command. Therefore, brethren. Be even more diligent. To make your call and election sure. This is the very target. That the Apostle Peter has been aiming at.

From verses 5 to 9. This is what he is aiming at right here. This is the target. This is the bullseye. In verse 5, he begins by saying. But also for this very reason. Giving all diligence.

That is.

He's making. He says, give a maximum effort. Maximize your effort. Give every ounce to it.

To this truth.

The Christian life. Is not lived to the honor of God without effort.

It takes work.

And we're not talking about work salvation here. We're talking about. Working through it. Working it out. In sanctification. And as we looked at last. Previous Lord's days. He's specifically speaking about sanctification that comes out from salvation.

Not the other way around. Even though God has poured His divine power. Into the believer.

Verse 3.

As His divine power has given us. To us all things that pertain to life and godliness. Through the knowledge of Him. It's through the knowledge of God. Through the knowledge of Christ. Notice what he said.

Who called us by glory and virtue. That word virtue means goodness. The Christian himself is required. To make every discipline effort. Alongside of what God has already accomplished in him and in us.

We do not need to be clouded on that issue. Sanctification is always the evidence. Sanctification is the obedience. Sanctification is the righteous living. And that's the only way. That's the only evidence of a holy life.

That we know that we've been justified. Because in justification it's by faith alone. By Christ alone. It is in heaven. Where it's not seen. But we do know by faith that God has acquitted us. And accounted us for righteousness.

But this is lived out in a sanctified life. This is a battle.

It's a very real battle.

Actually if you know how real it is. Just read Romans chapter 7.

It's very real.

It was very real to the Apostle Paul. And he speaks about that. Apostle Paul also mentioned in Philippians chapter 2 verse 12 and 13. I quoted it last week. But I believe it bears repeating. He says therefore my beloved.

Now again notice what he says. Who's the beloved of God? Those that are loved of God. Those whom God has chosen.

The beloved.

Beloved of God. They are God's people. As you have always obeyed. Now he's talking about obedience. Not as in my presence only. But now much more in my absence.

Work out.

There it is.

He's worked something in us. Now you've got to work it out. God has done it all. Did it all on the cross. God accomplished everything. Now you must cooperate in this. Now we're not talking about cooperation in salvation.

We're talking about cooperation with God in sanctification. So many get mixed up on this.

Especially like I said.

I'll name a few. The Catholics. A lot of the Church of Christ. And I can name many many more. And it's Armenian theology. And it's actually putting man's works before God's works. God works first. He's the beginner.

He's the Alpha.

He's the Omega.

He who began us will perform that which is good to the very end. And he promises that.

Paul says this.

You work out your own salvation. With fear and trembling. Oh, I tell you we need to hear more of this. We don't hear enough of this. Brother Keith talked about that this morning. And then he goes on to say.

You work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who works in you. Both to will and to do.

For His good pleasure. For His good pleasure.

That Greek verb. Rendered.

Work out.

Means to continually. I believe that. That's a strong word.

But it's a good word.

Because Jesus used this word a lot.

He talked about abide.

Continue in my word.

He says.

If you abide and continue in my word. Depends on the translation. But it means continue. Then you are my true disciples. You are my disciples indeed. You see how Jesus. He is the one that taught perseverance.

Now Calvin didn't come up with it. Jesus is the one. So the Greek verb. Work out means to continually. Continually work to bring something.

That is to its fulfillment.

Or its completion. That is so important. Now we're going to look at this. And this does not. Again refer to salvation by works. Works salvation. It does refer to the believer's responsibility though. In which we do have.

For active pursuit of holiness. And obedience. To the will of God. In the process. Of our personal sanctification. This is where. The rubber really meets the road in the Christian life. That's why this.

This section is so critical. And I'd like to take. Several parts and break it down by God's help. We're just going to go to God's word. The word of God is sufficient isn't it. And it tells us exactly what to do.

Now this is the. This is done. With an attitude of fear and trembling. To work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. In the presence of God. And this involves a healthy fear of God.

Before His face.

In private. In the secret place. And a righteous awe. And a holy respect. We just don't see this. But this is the way the real Christian is to live. Isaiah 66 1 and 2. Brother Keith loves this text. And I'm sure everybody else here in Isaiah.

I know Miss Lily and Sister Linda. And everyone else here loves Isaiah. Don't we love Isaiah? Isaiah 66 1 and 2.

I got to quote this.

Thus says the Lord. Heaven is my throne. Earth is my footstool. The question comes. Where is the house. That you will build for me. Where's the house. That you will build for me. God answers His own question.

Isn't that wonderful. Man doesn't answer that.

God does.

God gives the question. God answers the question.

He says this.

And He's speaking about all those things my hand has made. And all those things exist. Says the Lord. But on this one I will look. On him who is poor. And of a contrite spirit. That means broken. And who trembles at my word.

Trembles.

At the word of God.

That's the attitude. We come before God. With fear and trembling.

Looking.

God's looking for that. In heart. Not just in mind. In heart. Why do we know that? Because He's talking about poor in spirit. What does that remind you of?

Jesus.

He's talking about a brokenness. A tender. A meek.

A deep. Humble.

Life.

Of brokenness. Jesus said it. It was the very first beatitude. That He spoke. When He started preaching. The sermon on the mount. Matthew 5 .3. It's at the very foundation. Of everything He is about to preach.

Blessed.

Of the poor.

In spirit.

Now let's stop right there. That is opposite. That is diametrically opposed to self-sufficiency. That I do something to the kingdom. I do something.

No.

Jesus is saying. You must come in poor in spirit first. Broken. In deep humility. Not self-sufficient. But as a child with no credentials. You come.

Basically to the foot of the cross.

Not pleading any of your or my righteousness. But pleading for God. And God alone. To have mercy. And that's what this is. And this is the attitude that would come. And then He says. The promise for theirs is the kingdom of God.

There you have it. God's kingdom. And Peter notice what he says. In the latter part of verse 11. An entrance will be supplied to you abundantly. Into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

How are we going to get into the kingdom of God? We must come poor in spirit. That's bedrock. That's foundational. So it comes in deep humility. That means that we come with our utter spiritual bankruptcy.

Apart from God. We are bankrupt. How we need to see this. And how we need this in the church today. That we would come and bow in reverence before God.

And be bankrupt.

So Peter says in verse 5. Underscore this. Giving all diligence. Now I quoted it. In verse 5. Giving all diligence. Now he says. In verse 5. And then he throws in verse 10.

And then he says.

Be even more diligent. Now that's interesting isn't it? Give all diligence. I think that's pretty critical. And now he even says.

Be even more diligent.

It's almost like a step up. Even if you look at the translation of verse 5. Giving all diligence. I think that means something. All diligence means I must pay careful attention. Give everything I have to this truth.

And he gives us the truth. Those virtues. Those seven graces in which we looked at. But now he comes to this part. At the other end of. After he gives the virtues. Therefore brethren be even more diligent.

That word more adds another level to it.

Wow.

To make your call and election sure. To make your call and election sure.

Now a believer.

Believers calling in God's. In God's. In salvation. Is the effectual call here. There are some commentators that disagree with that. But I really believe he's talking about the effectual call. In other words.

God's call.

We looked at that didn't we?

There's a general call. And there's an effectual call. The general call is the external call. As we plead with sinners to come to Jesus Christ. That's the call of the gospel. Whosoever will. But this call effectually means.

It's those who he has chosen and appointed into eternal life. And I want to prove this to you from the word of God. This is exactly the context he's speaking of. A believer's calling is God's effectual.

It's God's doing. It's God alone that does it. It's God alone that draws him to salvation. Jesus even said that no one can come to God. Unless the spirit draws them. Now Peter alludes to this calling earlier.

In the same chapter when he speaks of God. Who called us by glory and virtue. In other words by glory and goodness. And to simply state it. It's really a simple truth. But it's a profound truth isn't it?

And I'm going to tell you this is the truth. The truth of sovereign election. The doctrine of election. It's the one doctrine. That people hate the most. I have seen this in my own personal life folks.

I have seen religious people. That's homeschooled. I've seen one family after another leave the church. Because of this one doctrine. Not because of Calvin. Not because of me. But because what God says.

In other words you have nothing to do with this. It strips people of their pride. And I'm telling you rightly so.

Amen.

And people get mad about it. And then they start looking for reasons. I don't want to listen to this. This man is hyper Calvinist. They say those terms. He's trying to say I have no part in this salvation.

No you don't. In other words they get confused with the whosoever. The Bible says whosoever. Yes the Bible does say. But they're confused about the general call and the effectual call. If they studied the Bible.

They would see it.

And not only that. The Holy Spirit would show it to them if they're a true child of God. But it lets me know that if they don't see it. I question that they're even in the kingdom of God.

I really do.

Because salvation is all of the Lord.

I tell you.

If people don't get. When we get into heaven. We're not going to say. I think Washer alluded to this. When we get to heaven. 99 .9 salvation was of the Lord. And that 0 .1 I had a little do with it.

No.

100 God. 0 of us. He purchased it. The Father planned it. Jesus purchased it. And the Holy Spirit preserves it. I'm telling you. If people are against that. That's their problem with God. They're going to have to answer one day.

But I'm going to tell people. What the word of God. And I know you're with me. Salvation is of the Lord. It's simply stated right here. This is the doctrine of election. I'm going to give you some verses.

And I know you're going to praise God for this. And you're going to follow me right with it. To be saved before time began. Now this is amazing. And this is what the Bible says. Before the world was even created.

God had elected us. This is the doctrine of election.

Predestination.

That destination is predetermined by God. That is taught clearly throughout the Bible.

Let me give you a few verses.

You can write these down. You may know them by mind and heart. And I'm sure you do. John 17. Jesus' prayer. And I'm going to go directly to Jesus' prayer. Because He's the Master. And He's the one. That basically has purchased the salvation.

The Father planned it. But notice in verse 2 of chapter 17.

He says,.

As I have given Him all authority over all flesh. And He's praying to the Father. That He should give eternal life to as many as you have given Him. You see that? To as many as you have given Him. What He's saying is, The Father has appointed and chosen them before the foundation of the world.

And the Father gives them to the Son. This actually, what He's doing. He begins to pray for His disciples. Those are the ones whom God has appointed. And then Jesus said. Later you see in 17. Except for the son of perdition.

He did not inherit eternal life. He was chosen. But for the purpose of being the vessel. To betray the Lord. In order for Jesus to get to the cross. Jesus already knew this. He knew at the Last Supper who would betray Him.

It's not like He had to guess it. He knew it. He knew this and eternity passed. It's incredible. But it had to be allowed for Him to go to the cross. Well He says, Jesus basically teaches here. Predestination.

Perseverance of the saints. A clear reference to God's choosing of those who come to Jesus Christ. Believes Him as another one in John 15, 16. Look at John 15, 16. I love this, don't you? He tells His disciples.

You did not choose Me.

But I chose you.

That is so clear.

I'm thinking people. That come against this.

You didn't do the choosing.

God does the choosing.

You did not choose Me.

But I chose you. Notice what He says. I appointed you. Then it's appointed.

He appointed you.

What's the appointment? Now notice the choosing is in eternity passed. Then He says, I appointed you. You should go forth and bear fruit. That your fruit should remain. I love that. That's perseverance of the saints.

Your fruit should remain. That whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give it you. And that's not talking about material things either. I've heard a lot of preachers in prosperity gospel take that as material things.

It's far deeper than that. That's talking about the riches of heaven. That's talking about the will of God. That's talking about God giving you grace and wisdom through persecution. And those kind of things.

To know Him.

Amen.

Acts 13 .48 is a major scripture folks. Go to Acts 13 .48. You know it. One of the main scriptures I think. The clearest statements that we can read in the Word of God on the sovereignty of God and salvation.

That is God choosing man for salvation. Not the opposite. Notice what it says. Now when the Gentiles heard this. Let me stop right there. Now what did they hear? What did they hear?

They heard the Word of God. They heard the gospel preached.

Remember what Paul says? Faith comes by hearing. Hearing by the Word of God. The Word must go forth. God uses a means to an end. Verse 47. For so the Lord has commanded. This is what they heard. Commanded us.

I have sent you as a light to the Gentiles. Who's he talking about?

You.

Israel. The gospel first came to the Jew first. To Israel. Because Israel was chosen of God to be a light to the Gentiles. But Israel failed. They rejected Jesus. They rejected the Messiah. But yet through the rejection.

Paul talks about this in Romans 9, 10 and 11. And how God sovereignly works His will through all this. Through Israel's rejection. Crucified the Son of Glory. The Righteous One Jesus Christ. But through that the gospel goes to the Gentiles.

That was God's intention from the beginning. But he says here. A light to the Gentiles. That you should be for the salvation. Listen.

There it is.

The Gentiles was hearing this. God allowed them to get it. A salvation to the ends of the earth. That you should be for the salvation to the ends of the earth. And they understood it. It was the Holy Spirit that gave them understanding.

The Gentiles heard this. The Word of God says they were glad.

And what did they do?

They glorified the Word of the Lord.

Oh that churches today would glorify the Word of the Lord.

Then we would say revival. And as many as been appointed. Listen to this. To eternal life.

Believed.

There it is.

To many as appointed to eternal life. How do you know that you're chosen of God? How do you know you've been elected of God?

You believe the gospel.

That's that simple.

But until people get so clouded up. And they get over here. And this doctrine. And this doctrine. And then confusion is thrown in. That's something Satan would love to do. But it's so crystal clear. Appointed to as many as been appointed to eternal life.

Believed.

Now.

Go with me to Romans chapter 8. Romans 8. We looked a little bit at Romans 8 last week. Romans 8. Oh my goodness. Study Romans 6. Study Romans 7. Study Romans.

Look.

Study the whole book of Romans day by day. And it will take you to the heights of heaven. And help you in your walk with the Lord. I can promise you that. Notice Romans 8. What he says here. In verse 29 through 30.

A lot of people. Has memorized Romans 8 .28. Which rightly so. But we know that all things work together for good to those who love God. To those who are the called.

There it is.

The called. According to His purpose.

Well what's His purpose?

Verse 29. For whom He foreknew. He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son. That He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined. He marked out. He called.

He chose. Before eternity passed. These He also called.

See the election.

Notice Peter knows exactly Paul. And they're right in sync with one another.

Why?

Because of the Holy Spirit. Because their calling and election is right together. You cannot separate the two. He predestined these. He also called.

Whom He called.

These He also justified. This is a surety folks. And whom He justified. These also He glorified. And then He goes into the wonderful doctrine of just praising God for the love of God. For what then shall we say to these things?

What things? What He just said. If God is for us.

Who can be against us?

If God is on your side. Who could dare be against you? I tell you that will make you shout. He who did not spare His own Son. Doesn't that melt your heart? He who did not spare His own Son. But delivered Him up for us all.

And how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is He who condemns?

It is Christ who died.

And furthermore is also risen. Who is even at the right hand of God. Who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? I heard. I had a guy from the church of Christ one time.

He said.

He said I got that answer. I said what's that answer? He said yourself. I said I don't see that in scripture. I don't see that in the word of God. I said that's your opinion friend. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

I don't see yourself right after that. Do you?

He said.

And he lists all things. Shall tribulation.

Or distress.

Or persecution.

Or famine. Or nakedness. Or peril. Or sword. In other words being martyred. As it is written. For your sake we were killed all the day long. We were counted as sheep for the slaughter. Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors.

Ain't just not a conqueror. You're more than a conqueror. You're more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Talk about the love of Christ. For I'm persuaded that neither death. Nor life. Nor angels.

Nor principalities. Nor powers. Nor things present. Nor things to come.

Nor height.

Nor depth. Nor any other created things.

Shall.

Here's the answer. Shall be able to separate us from the love of God. Which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Nothing in other words will separate us. Your salvation is eternal. And it is secure folks. The problems with our assurance is it's us.

Because of the sin. The disobedience we fall into. And then God brings the rod out. And He lovingly puts a strike to our backside. And He brings us back to where we should be. We just come out of fellowship.

We don't lose our salvation. There's so many people that twist that too. But you cannot lose the salvation when you really have salvation. Now again there's a lot of people out there that need salvation.

That don't have it. But we're talking about God's people. Well there's so many verses. I'll quote this one real quick. Colossians 3 .12. Therefore as the elect of God. The elect of God. Holy and beloved.

Put on tender mercies. Kindness.

Humility.

Meekness. Long suffering. 1 Thessalonians 1 .4 Knowing beloved brethren. Your election by God.

Election. Election.

2 Timothy 2 .10. Therefore I endear all things. Paul the Apostle. Listen to what he says. I endear all things. He's talking about all the persecutions. The chains. And all the torments. For the gospels sake.

But not only for the gospels sake. For the sake of the elect. He endeared all these things for the sake of the church. See he knew. This is the church in which Christ is building. This is the church in which God is appointed.