Are You Called And Chosen By God?

The Lord revealed to Peter in his 2^nd epistle that he would soon leave this earthly life. Therefore he encouraged those he considered God’s called and chosen people.

So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. 2 Peter 1:10

He said to prove that you really are among God’s called and chosen. But who must we convince? We don’t need to try to convince God because He knows us inside and out.

He knows us better than we know ourselves. We don’t need to convince others. But we do need to let the light of Jesus shine through us. So they can see Jesus in us.

Satan, on the other hand, will do what he can to get us to question our Christianity. Therefore I must prove to myself that I am called and chosen by God. And you must prove it to yourself.

In verse 1, the apostle introduced himself and then immediately compared his faith in Christ with his readers’ faith. Thus he established the common ground they had with him.

I am writing to you who share the same precious faith we have. This faith was given to you because of the justice and fairness of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior. 2 Peter 1:1

He also prayed for God to give them some great benefits when they grow in His knowledge.

May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. 2 Peter 1:2

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When We Question or Doubt

We know, however, that things happen in our lives. Things that cause us to question or doubt our relationship with God. Peter though wants us to put those thoughts to rest.

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. 2 Peter 1:3

God has not only supplied us with what we need to live a godly life. But He has called us, His chosen ones, to Himself.

We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 2 Peter 1:3

So to those who feel insignificant, God wants you to know how precious and special you are to Him. By means of His glory and excellence, He has called and chosen you.

And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. 2 Peter 1:4

With these encouraging words written by Peter, why would anyone doubt how much they mean to God? Well, it comes down to one simple question.

Are you growing in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord? In other words, are you learning as much as you can about the Lord?

Then are you applying your new knowledge to the way you are living your life? These are valid questions for those who are called and chosen of God. Peter continued with the following.

In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. 2 Peter 1:5

Supplement Your Faith

So what must we do to put forth an effort in response to God’s promises? The apostle simplified the process by helping us to stack certain character traits upon one another.

Supplement your faith with . . .

A generous provision of moral excellence,
And moral excellence with knowledge,
Then knowledge with self-control,
And self-control with patient endurance,
Then patient endurance with godliness,
And godliness with brotherly affection,
And brotherly affection with love for everyone. 2 Peter 1:5-7

You can check out a related post written on the preceding verse called How To Supplement Your Faith In God. Our growth in these areas will help our Christian effectiveness.

The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:8

Peter then issued a warning in the next verse to those who consider productivity and usefulness unimportant.

But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins. 2Peter 1:9

He said, instead, work at these to prove you are among those God has called and chosen. And he continued by saying when you do these things, you will never fall away.

Who is Called and Chosen?

Who are the called and chosen of God? Everyone who turns their lives to Him. According to Peter, it will take a lifelong effort as we continue to grow in our knowledge of God.

So, work hard every day throughout your life. Prove to yourself that you really are among God’s called and chosen. And when you do, I hope you like parades.

Because that’s exactly what you will receive as you enter into God’s eternal Kingdom.

Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:11

Lord, help us to grow in our knowledge of you. Then help us to work hard to prove that we really are among those you have called and chosen.

Related posts for those Called and Chosen by God.

The Featured Image is a picture of a mural painted by my good friend Carrie Kingsbury. During a missions trip she painted this in a Christian community center in Romania. To see more of Carrie's work and/or to book her go to Promiseland Murals.