Post by praiseyeshua on Feb 7, 2023 14:03:15 GMT -8
2Peter 1:10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election
Have you ever wondered why you read the essence of the words found in 2 Peter throughout the NT? Over and over again, you find the apostles asking an audience that is supposedly filled with saints..... To make SURE of their calling and election?
The Calvinist will say it is because their "wolves" in sheep's clothing.... everywhere. The Arminian would say that it is because people are endlessly losing their salvation and needing to get back on the "old ship of Zion" again......
Both are wrong and I hope I can adequately explain why......
Whether we want to recognize it or not, there is one thing that is impossible for us to determine. It is almost impossible for us to know why people do the things they do. I believe we all can agree that motives are important to God.
There is an example in the OT of a "mixed multitude" that came out of Egypt.
Exo 12:37 And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.
Exo 12:38 And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.
These were not the descendants of Abraham. They did not believe in the same God that Abraham taught his children. They just went along for the "ride" because they hated Egypt or saw an opportunity other than to "worship God"....
Remember the words of Moses detailing to Pharaoh concerning their purpose to leave....
Exo 5:1 Afterward Moses and Aaron went and said to Pharaoh, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.’”
Now, like it was then, there are many people that "join" for different reasons. In fact, I'll be honest with you. I believe this happens more times than not.... people seek "salvation" for all the wrong reasons.
For example, just like those who followed Jesus, the same people Jesus abandoned to themselves.... They followed Jesus and ask Him why he left them...... He said.
John 6:26 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.
It had nothing to do with WHO He was..... it was because they wanted an easy meal.......
There comes a time when a person must deal intimately with the "cost" of embracing God. There are no easy choices. No "hand waves" in acknowledgement....... like "yeah, yeah.... just give it to me..."
Another example of an individual was who "part of the congregation" but lacked intimate knowledge of God that comes with the new birth....
Act 8:18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money,
Act 8:19 saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
Act 8:20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
Act 8:21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.
I sincerely have family members and friends I worry about when it comes to this issue. Even those that wouldn't dare do anything they've ever been taught is ungodly. There is a HUGE difference between personally knowing God and practicing what you've been taught by others. This is why Paul said to "work out" your own salvation....
Php 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
What you are when only God is there......
Fear is a sure sign of not being made perfect in love.....
1Jn 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
1Jn 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.
I hope this helps. Please respond with concerns or criticisms. Thanks
Have you ever wondered why you read the essence of the words found in 2 Peter throughout the NT? Over and over again, you find the apostles asking an audience that is supposedly filled with saints..... To make SURE of their calling and election?
The Calvinist will say it is because their "wolves" in sheep's clothing.... everywhere. The Arminian would say that it is because people are endlessly losing their salvation and needing to get back on the "old ship of Zion" again......
Both are wrong and I hope I can adequately explain why......
Whether we want to recognize it or not, there is one thing that is impossible for us to determine. It is almost impossible for us to know why people do the things they do. I believe we all can agree that motives are important to God.
There is an example in the OT of a "mixed multitude" that came out of Egypt.
Exo 12:37 And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.
Exo 12:38 And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.
These were not the descendants of Abraham. They did not believe in the same God that Abraham taught his children. They just went along for the "ride" because they hated Egypt or saw an opportunity other than to "worship God"....
Remember the words of Moses detailing to Pharaoh concerning their purpose to leave....
Exo 5:1 Afterward Moses and Aaron went and said to Pharaoh, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.’”
Now, like it was then, there are many people that "join" for different reasons. In fact, I'll be honest with you. I believe this happens more times than not.... people seek "salvation" for all the wrong reasons.
For example, just like those who followed Jesus, the same people Jesus abandoned to themselves.... They followed Jesus and ask Him why he left them...... He said.
John 6:26 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.
It had nothing to do with WHO He was..... it was because they wanted an easy meal.......
There comes a time when a person must deal intimately with the "cost" of embracing God. There are no easy choices. No "hand waves" in acknowledgement....... like "yeah, yeah.... just give it to me..."
Another example of an individual was who "part of the congregation" but lacked intimate knowledge of God that comes with the new birth....
Act 8:18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money,
Act 8:19 saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
Act 8:20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
Act 8:21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.
I sincerely have family members and friends I worry about when it comes to this issue. Even those that wouldn't dare do anything they've ever been taught is ungodly. There is a HUGE difference between personally knowing God and practicing what you've been taught by others. This is why Paul said to "work out" your own salvation....
Php 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
What you are when only God is there......
Fear is a sure sign of not being made perfect in love.....
1Jn 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
1Jn 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.
I hope this helps. Please respond with concerns or criticisms. Thanks
