Perspectives with Rev. George Frey

Your New Life!

It is my sincere hope that you have received Jesus Christ as your Savior and the Lord of your life. The Bible teaches us in Romans chapter 10, verse 9, that “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (esv)

Your continuing belief that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead as the Bible teaches, and your continuing confession that Jesus is the Lord of your life, gives evidence of your salvation. It’s not the only evidence but it is a first evidence.

According to the bible we are responsible to be sure of our salvation. 2 Peter 1:10a says, “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election … (esv).”

Election simply means being chosen by God. Everyone that is saved has been chosen by God. But this text makes each Christian responsible to use all diligence to further confirm that he/she is actually chosen by God.

According to verses 5 thru 7, here in 2 Peter 1, we may confirm that we are chosen by God, by adding certain qualities to our initial faith. But it is not just the adding that is in view, but rather that which these additions enable the Christian to do, namely “never fall.”

Peter goes on to say in verse 10, “for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.” So it is the adding of the listed qualities that secures the believer against falling from his/her initial belief and confession of faith as stated in Romans 10:9.

Consider the eighth verse, part a, of 2 Peter 1, “if these qualities are yours and are increasing …” This phrase brings into view the idea of ownership; these are no longer just qualities listed in your bible, but they are to be your qualities; qualities possessed by you within your personal character and value system. You are to willfully add them to your character in Christian obedience to the scriptures.

Furthermore these qualities are possessions that are subject to increase while in your possession; and indeed the expectation of the text is that they are both possessed and increasing. 

Without this increasing possession the believer will not be effective and fruitful as a Christian, because it is the qualities themselves, possessed and increasing, that “keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

The phrase “keep you from” in this quote, indicates a disabling of the “ineffective or unfruitful” feature, that is sometimes found in the Christians life.

There is so much more that might be said concerning this passage, however I must commend you to a scripture meditation on 2 Peter 1:2-13.

I share in the admonition of Peter, intending “always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have.” (2 Peter 1:12)

 

Rev. George T. Frey, 

Faith Christian Center, 

Morrisburg, 514-767-7720, www.faithchristiancenter.ca www.faithlifebookstore.com 

 

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