Maintain Your Grip
2 Peter 1
KJV
10+ Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
Oh how soon we forget the essence or the reason for being a Christian No sooner have we come out of the water of baptism than we return to what and who we were before by refusing to learn, obey and keep the rules of the Faith.
It is becoming obvious that some are drawn to the church by its social activities and not the spiritual, this is evidenced by the high attendance usually recorded at church social events as compared to the spiritual.
Though social activities/events play an important part, it is the spiritual which must be desired It is for this reason that Jesus said;
Matthew 4
KJV
4+ But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
The social is good, but the spiritual is the best. The physical bread is good but the spiritual must be the most preferred
The reason we are called is to prepare ourselves for the heavenly abode. Life there requires certain qualities which we need to learn and acquire while here, the bottom line requirement is love.
We therefore need training to make our “calling and election sure”. For example, anyone called to serve as an ambassador is first instructed in diplomatic dos and don’ts
He is taken through a series of studies that would make him fit into his position.
In our case, the church is that institution that provides such training. This she does through the bible classes that are organised. Whereas sermons are direct lectures the Bible classes serve as tutorial classes where details are taught, discussed etc. in clusters.
There is evidence to show that those who are regular at these classes display good Christian and social conduct as they live transformed lives which agrees with what Paul said;
2 Corinthians 5
KJV
17+ Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Some have asked how they can know if they are growing in Christ, a good question. You can measure or observe your present desires against what they were before you became a Christian.
Do you still desire the old stuff, do you still do the old stuff do you still crave the old things? If you do then you are not growing. But if you don’t then these are signs of growth. Treat any occasional slip that may occur as a signal that the battle is still on.
Dearly beloved, may we heed Peter’s call that “ we make our calling and election sure” this is because it is not an easy battle that we are engaged in. The possibility of losing our grip is real. Read this warning ;
1 Corinthians 10:12
NIV
[12] So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!
A word to the wise is enough,
A phrase to a fool is meaningless.