We’ve spent the past 7  messages looking at marks of Christian growth in a faith that is active.  At the end of that passage, Peter turns to encourage us as the hearers that if those qualities are at work in you by faith, God wants you to have peace in the assurance of your salvation.  Likewise, if those qualities are not at work in you by faith, he wants us to hear that you are in great danger of falling away from God (if indeed your faith is real) and into the devastation that comes with a life lived apart from God.  Likewise, if those qualities are not active in you, you should not have assurance of your salvation.  This should be a fearful thought for those who fear God, but is actually said in love in the hope that those who are far from God will awaken to see the goodness of God and root their hearts anew in the love of God towards us in Jesus.

2 Peter 1:8-11 – “For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.  Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.  For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

We all hear stories of pastors being caught up in situations they should not have been.  We all know Christians who are not living out their faith as maybe they once did.  I’ve definitely been there in my own life, and I do not feel like I am alone, or God would not have this word for us in scripture.  So what’s happened?  At some point, those people stopped stopped being diligent in their faith.  They coasted, or compartmentalized part of their life, believing such a thing was possible.  They neglected the ongoing renewal of our minds in the knowledge of God, in faith in the finished work of Christ, and pressing forward towards God in living out their faith.

Although God is faithful to redeem and restore those who are in Christ by faith, His desire is for us never to depart.  Although we know nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (Rom 8:35), God’s best desire is for us to rest and find peace in Him daily.  The marks of Christian growth began with faith and ended in love.  Are those active in your life today?  Are you pursuing greater knowledge of who God is regularly?  How is your faith applied to the situations in your life?  What areas of your life/faith are you growing in/focusing on?  Today, how assured are you of your salvation?  Why or why not?  What evidence of your faith in Jesus do you see working itself out in your life?

Whatever the answer, the love of God towards you through Jesus Christ, desires your heart to find joy in your assurance your salvation.  Not in a false assurance, but in an assurance that is rooted in faith and love, being worked out in your life over time, as each of us presses on towards the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Stay encouraged in the promises of God from His Word, stay surrounded by fellow brothers and sisters for mutual encouragement, and stay encouraged in the love of God towards you in Jesus.

Grace and Peace,

Adam