In the previous messages we attempted to answer the question of: now that I am saved, now what?. We chose 2 Peter 2:1-15 as the message we will use to try and answer this question. In part 1 and 2, we dealt with verses 1-9 and these verses told us that once we are saved, we need to increase our knowledge of Jesus Christ through the word of God. Not only that we then need to add to our faith virtue, knowledge, self control,patience, godliness, kindness and love. This will make us effective and productive as we increase in our knowledge of Jesus Christ.
We said that the message will be divided into six topics: the source of our faith, the call for growth in faith, the benefits of growth in faith, the encouragement, the reminder and lastly the duty to recall. We have already death with the first three topics and in this last message, we will deal with the remaining three.
THE ENCOURAGEMENT
10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The word therefore here refers to the fact that now that we know that once we are saved, we need to increase our knowledge of Jesus Christ through the word of God. Not only that we then need to add to our faith virtue, knowledge, self control,patience, godliness, kindness and love. This will make us effective and productive as we increase in our knowledge of Jesus Christ. Now that we know all this, therefore we must be diligent or eager to confirm our election and calling for if we have and are increasing in the qualities that we must add to our faith, we will never fall. By election Peter refers to the fact that we were chosen even before the beginning of the world to be adopted as God’s children. Peter refers to the fact that we did nothing to deserve this except it was through God’s own sovereign will.
Ephesians 1:4-5 (ESVST)
even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,
By the calling Peter refers to when we received the word of God and chose to repent and follow Jesus. Peter is saying therefore let us confirm the fact that we were chosen by God and called through the word of God. Peter says that through acquiring and continuously increasing and practicing these qualities, we will never fall. So, Peter encourages us to eagerly confirm our election and calling.
THE REMINDER
12 Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.
Peter then tells us that although we might know all this, he still wants to remind us and to keep reminding us as long as he is still alive. He is aware that very soon, he will no longer be alive and wants to use this opportunity to remind us that we need to add to our faith all these qualities.
THE DUTY TO RECALL
15 And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.
Peter says that he will make every effort that after he is no longer alive that we may be able to remember at all times that we need to strive to add to our faith, these qualities.
So in summary, Peter is telling us in verses 1-15 that that once we are saved, we need to increase our knowledge of Jesus Christ through the word of God. Not only that we then need to add to our faith virtue, knowledge, self control,patience, godliness, kindness and love. This will make us effective and productive as we increase in our knowledge of Jesus Christ. Peter then encourages us to eagerly confirm our election and calling and always remember that we need to strive to add to our faith and practice these qualities. So to answer the question of what to do now that I am saved,
1. Increase your knowledge of Jesus Christ by reading and understanding the bible which is the word of God
2. Add qualities to faith
3. Be eager to confirm your election and calling by practicing these qualities
4. Always remind yourself of what you need to practice these qualities.
May this message find a good soil in our hearts and bless us and bring us even closer to our God. In Jesus name, amen.