That's all the announcements. Let's come to God's word this morning. Father, how we bless you, how we thank you, how we delight in you. Thank you for what you've done through your son Jesus. May we be increasingly mindful of how you have provided forgiveness for us through the blood of your son Jesus. And we ask this in his most excellent and matchless name. Amen. While we're continuing our study through the second epistle of Peter, so if you would and you have your Bible, please turn with me to 2 Peter chapter one. While I remind you of what we studied two weeks ago, in verse three, Peter wrote his divine power. God's divine power has given us everything that we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises so that through them you may participate in the divine nature having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. Now last week, we continued this deeply interconnected section of Peter's letter, and we saw that spiritual growth is the work of God, but it is also our responsibility. And so in verses five to seven, we saw that Christians are called to be speedily diligent to grow spiritually. In light of what God has just said, he has provided the believer Peter was inspired to give us eight building blocks of spiritual growth in Christian character. The first is foundational because without faith, it is impossible to please God, nor to produce lasting growth of the remainder. Verse five, for this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith, goodness, and to goodness, knowledge, and to knowledge, self-control, and to self-control, perseverance, and to perseverance, godliness, and to godliness, mutual affection, or brotherly love, and to mutual affection, then, agape love. And we said that spiritual growth will indeed be blessed by the Lord. Verse eight, for if you possess these qualities, if they really are yours in increasing measure, they will help keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. We noted that ineffective means lazy, shunning the labor which one ought to perform, inactive, unemployed, idle, and useless. and unproductive means without fruit, to be barren, or not yielding what one ought to yield. Our message title today is Living Up to Our Calling, and we are in 2 Peter, again, verse one, beginning in chapter nine. Let me read that. Whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election, for if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. These three verses, continuing the thought, began in verse three, tell us that we must keep our eyes focused on our glorious future as motivation for our spiritual progress now. We must fix our eyes, keep our eyes focused on our glorious future, and that will be the motivation for spiritual progress now. Peter's inspired to warn that without these characteristics, one cannot see how to properly live. Without these building blocks that we just talked about, you cannot see how you are to properly live. Verse nine, whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. Now the word that's translated as blind here is used most frequently in the Gospels, almost four dozen times referring to those who were physically incapable of seeing, okay? It almost seems like there was like an epidemic of blindness in Palestine in Jesus' day. But Jesus healed many of them, restored their sight, even some who were born blind. But in a handful of cases, Jesus used the word in reference to the spiritual blindness of people, particularly the hypocritical Jewish religious leaders who were not recognizing his divine authority as the Messiah who was sent by God. So he told them a parable. Someone who is blind cannot lead another who is blind, can he? Won't they both fall into a pit? Peter also adds a second word here. They're nearsighted. This is the Greek word muopadzo, and it's only used here in the scriptures. A few versions translate this word not as nearsighted, but as shortsighted. See, the physically nearsighted can only see what's up close to them. They can't see what's out in the distance. The short-sighted see the present, but they take no thought for the future, like those who squander their paycheck before the bills all come due. Of course, we recognize that Peter is speaking here metaphorically of those who can only see the now and the material rather than the eternal and the spiritual. And blind is actually placed first in the original Greek, somewhat odd, because if you're blind, how can you be nearsighted? So some commentators understand that Peter is saying that by focusing on the world and the now, people become blind to heaven and the future. And thus the ESV's reading, you're so nearsighted that you're blind. Closing their eyes. to all that God has done for them as Christians. People can forget the importance of the Lord's work at the cross. Cleansed comes from the Greek karthissimos. It's the same root as our English word catharsis. Originally it was used by the Jews to describe their ritual cleansings, purification, purging or washing. It was used of the ritual hand washing that the Jews would do before and after their meals, and also of the Levitical rites of purification necessary for women after childbirth. But among Christians, this term catharsosmos, the verb form of which, carthidzo, were adopted to speak of cleansing and purification from the guilt of sins that is the result of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus. The author of Hebrews explains at the outset of his letter, in the past, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways. But in these last days, he has spoken to us by his son, whom he appointed heir of all things and through whom he also made the universe. The sun is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. And after he had provided purification, carthidzo, for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the majesty in heaven. Paul writes to the Corinthians of the incredible transaction that took place at the cross. as God transforms lives. He warns, do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who have sex with men, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that, my friends, is what some of you were. but you were washed, carthidzo, you were sanctified, made holy, you were justified, declared righteous in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the spirit of our God. How then do we lose sight of this marvelous, incredible work of God? We close our eyes to the truth. Ephesians 2.13, now in Christ Jesus, you who were once far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. And the author of Hebrews spends much time in his letter reminding his readers of what Christ has done for them so that they will not fall back into the trap of trying to earn their salvation through works. Chapter nine, beginning in verse 12. He, Christ, did not enter the greater and more perfect tabernacle in heaven by means of the blood of goats and calves, but he entered the most holy place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. Because the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean, How much more then will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death so that we may serve the living God? For this reason, Christ is the mediator of a new covenant that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance. Now that he has died is a ransom to set them free from the sins that were committed under the first covenant. These are truths that are worth firmly fixing our eyes upon. Thomas Schreiner suggests that if Christians are living immoral lives, they bear witness that forgiveness of sins means little or nothing to them. Those who treasure being forgiven strive more and more to please God. See, the more that you value Christ's sacrifice for you, the sacrifice that obtained, our cleansing from sin, the more we will naturally strive to live obediently and grow as God intends. Paul wrote to the Romans about this great transaction that was consummated at the cross and proven genuine by the resurrection of Christ from the dead on the third day. Chapter three, he writes, God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement through the shedding of his blood to be received by faith. And he did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance, he'd left the sins committed beforehand unpunished. and he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be both just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Where is boasting then? Is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. For we maintain that a person is justified, declared to be righteous by God, apart from the works of the law. So we have to fix our eyes on the fact that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and his atoning work at the cross. When we repent of our own self-righteousness and we receive the free gift of salvation that God offers in and through Christ, we're brought from death to life. Having said that, I hope clearly, even so, here in verse 10, we find Peter inspired to say that diligence in spiritual growth demonstrates that God has indeed saved us. Our diligence in spiritual growth demonstrates that God has saved us. Verse 10, therefore, my brothers and sisters, be all the more eager, or some versions say, make every effort to make your calling and election sure. Our growth doesn't save us. Our growth doesn't keep us saved. because salvation is not by works. But our spiritual growth becomes the tangible evidence that God has saved us and that our faith is both precious to us and genuine because it is producing in us what God desires. And this term here speaks of the fact that this is something we do. Okay? Because God has done it, we now do it. So Peter writes, be all the more eager or make every effort. It's the verb form of the word we saw back in verse five, spudadzo, meaning to hasten or to make haste as you work hard, exerting yourself, striving to give all diligence to the goal of becoming spiritually mature. do this speedily, trying with haste to become more and more conformed to the image of Christ. That's God's desire for us. Works and the confirmation of character to the image of Christ are the evidence that genuine salvation has taken place. We don't dare ever put the cart before the horse. but the professing believer who has nothing to show for their supposed faith has little or no reason for confidence and may, in fact, not be saved at all. The foundation stone of faith is missing. That's why Paul wrote to the Corinthians, examine yourselves to see whether your faith is really genuine. Test yourselves. And if you cannot tell that Jesus Christ is among you, it means that you have failed the test. So Peter writes, make every effort to make your calling and election sure, or to confirm your calling and election. This word sure is the Greek bebiaios, and it means to be stable, standing, or holding fast, to be firm. Metaphorically, it meant to be confirmed or trustworthy. The Believer's Bible Commentary says that this word was used in legal terminology of validating a will. Or the Believer's Bible, excuse me, the Bible Knowledge Commentary in classical Greek, the word was used of a warranty deed somewhat like those used of a home or a property today. Chuck Swindoll explains that this encouragement to make one's calling and election sure doesn't mean that we must do these things to secure our salvation or to guarantee our places in heaven. Rather, it's an urgent and a passionate appeal to live out our calling and to demonstrate the reality of our salvation. Douglas Moo in the New International Application Commentary explains the meaning of these two terms here that are used by Peter, calling and election. They describe actually one concept. Scripture explains, he writes, that God, by his free and eternal decision, calls certain people to be saved, that he reaches out in his grace to bring these people into his salvation and that he makes sure that when those whom he has chosen to save will come to reach heaven at the end. It's a relatively rare place in the scriptures where both of these words are used together, though they are closely interrelated. They go together like peas and carrots or peanut butter and chocolate. Election refers to God's decision to save someone in eternity past. Calling refers to the moment at which the Holy Spirit breaks through a person's sin and apathy to make the gospel so attractive to them that they cannot resist God's offer of grace and forgiveness. He forces no one, but he makes it so attractive that you will choose him. A bit later, Moo continues, I think that Calvinists have often been guilty of so overemphasizing the points of election that they lose sight of the obvious biblical emphasis on human response throughout the process. God elects, but I must believe that he preserves me until the end. But I must understand, as Paul writes, therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation. It's not to the flesh to live according to it, the sin nature, but if you live according to the flesh, you will die. If by the spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. I have the responsibility, he goes on, to put to death the misdeeds of the body if I have a hope of eternal life. Both concepts are taught in scripture, and we must affirm both aspects if we are to remain biblical, and to that I say a hearty amen. Turn with me to Romans chapter nine for just a minute. Turn back in your Bible to Romans nine if you would. Keep your finger here. but Romans 9 speaks of this. Paul's inspired to explain why it is that many, if not most of the Jewish people rejected Jesus as the Messiah and Savior. It's a passage that goes to the heart of God's sovereign choices in election. There Paul writes, it is not as though God's word has failed, for not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham's children. On the contrary, it's through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring. For this was how the promise was stated. At the appointed time, I will return and Sarah will have a son. Now, Paul here is pointing out that according to Genesis 15 and 16, Abram, later to be renamed by God as Abraham, the founder of the Jewish race, in a sinful effort to fulfill God's promise that he would have a son, trying to do it in his own strength, He had a child by the handmaiden of his wife, Sari. And that child was not accepted by the Lord. It was the miraculously conceived Isaac, through Sarah, whom God would choose to form a people for himself. Verse 10 continues, not only that, but Rebecca's children were conceived at the same time by our father, Isaac. Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God's purpose in election might stand, not by works, but by him who calls, she was told, the older will serve the younger. Just as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. What should we say then? Is God unjust? He anticipated the complaint. Not at all. For he says to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God's mercy. For scripture says to Pharaoh, I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you, and my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. There is the scriptural key to God's sovereign choice in election. God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens those whom he wants to harden. And one of you will say to me then, well, why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will? But who are you, old man? to talk back to God, to say to the one who formed him, why did you make me like this? Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use? What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory? Even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews, but also from the Gentiles. And he writes a little more succinctly to the Ephesians that our salvation is God's work and that the reason for it is his love for us and that he might be glorified by this marvelous plan to some save out of all who would not and could not save themselves. Ephesians chapter one beginning in verse three. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. And in love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ in accordance with his pleasure and will. to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the one he loves. In him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he has lavished on us. And with all wisdom and all understanding, he has made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ to be put into effect until the times reach their fulfillment, in order to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. In Him, we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him, who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, the Jewish apostles, might be for the praise of His glory. And you also, the Ephesians and us, were called as well. We were included with Christ when we heard the message, the truth of the gospel of our salvation, and when we believed, we were marked in him with a seal. The promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit, guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession. Once again, to the praise of his glory. Paul goes on to explain in the next chapter the dire state of everyone that we were all in before God called us to himself. Chapter 2, as for you, you were dead. You were dead in your transgressions and your sins in which you used to live when you followed the ways of the world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air, that's Satan. He's the spirit who's now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us who also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our fresh, our sinful desires and following those desires and thoughts like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God who is rich in mercy made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions. It is by grace that we have been saved through faith. God raised us up with Christ, he seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed through his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. It is by grace we are saved through faith, and this not of ourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that anyone, no one can boast. We're God's handiwork though, We're created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. One naturally follows the other. But works don't say. God elects and calls not because of any inherent virtue that we have or even any real usefulness to him. Paul points that out when he writes to the Corinthians brothers and sisters. Think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards. Not many were influential. Not many were of noble birth. Well, these truths should cause us to react with wide-eyed wonder that God has reached down and rescued us by His grace, not because we deserved it, but because He is kind and He is merciful to those He has chosen to save. Believer's Bible commentary says we cannot make our call and election more sure than they actually already are. God's eternal purposes can never be thwarted. but we can confirm the truth by growing in our likeness to the Lord, by manifesting the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control, and we see unmistakable evidence then that we indeed belong to him. Holy life proves the reality of our salvation. John MacArthur puts it this way. Spiritual forgetfulness regarding the wonder of our cleansing leads to the repeating of old sins, and such behavior robs some Christians of their assurance of salvation. Assurance is directly related to present spiritual condition and obedience, not merely trusting in a past salvation event made dim in the disobedient person's memory. And I should also here quickly offer a word of reassurance to those who hear about this doctrine of election and they consequently begin to fear for or doubt their salvation. They think that perhaps they're not among the elect. They worry, what if God hasn't called me and chosen me? Let me just say, if you care that you are among the elect, that is all the evidence that you need that you actually are. See, those who are not called and chosen by God don't care about these things. They don't think about them. They think they're foolish. They think, I'm basically a good and decent person, so God's just gonna accept me as I am. Christ's sacrifice means nothing to them. They think that they can get there on their own. And what a tragedy. We were talking about that in Sunday school. You are spitting in the face of God, saying the work that he did in sending his son to the cross to die horrifically is unnecessary. That's the worst sin anyone can commit. But if you recognize your sin, if you've repented and have trusted in Christ to rescue you from that sin, and you've at least seen some evidence of spiritual growth, you can be fully assured that you are indeed one of the elect and that you're on your way to heaven. Because Jesus said that there will be different levels, this is in his book, Parable of the four soils he said that different people will produce different levels some 30 some 60 some a hundredfold all right but God will never turn away anyone who genuinely turns to him, asking for forgiveness through Jesus. Paul writes to the Philippians, therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act. in order to fulfill his good purposes. And Peter goes on here explaining that diligence and spiritual growth protects our walk and allows us to rest secure. Being diligent in spiritual growth protects our walk and allows us to rest secure. Second half of verse 10. For if you do these things, you will never stumble. Warren Wiersbe points out here, if you walk around with your eyes closed, you will stumble. But the growing Christian walks with confidence because he knows he is secure in Christ. It's not our profession of faith that guarantees that we are saved, it's our progression in the faith that gives us assurance. The person who claims to be a Christian but whose character and conduct give no evidence of spiritual growth is potentially deceiving themselves and heading for judgment. These things that Peter mentions here are all that Peter has been inspired to call us to in verses five to seven. Those are made possible by what God has done for us in verses three to four. And so some commentators point out that this word translated as stumble was used of certain sure-footed animals like deer or mountain sheep up on the heights. And indeed, King David wrote in Psalm 18 of God's ability to produce that kind of sure-footedness in us. As for God, he writes, his way is perfect. The Lord's word is flawless and he shields all who take refuge in him. For who is God beside the Lord? And who is the rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer and he causes me to stand on the heights. Again, the Christian will not always find himself on the mountaintops. but he will always be climbing higher. Believers Bible commentary points out that when we see this word stumble or in some versions fall or even more inaccurately fall away, it's not meant to imply falling back into eternal damnation. The great work of Christ at the cross delivers true believers from that possibility. True believers are eternally secure. Rather, the idea here is falling into persistent sin, disgrace, or dishonor. And if we fail to progress in spiritual growth, we're in danger of ruining our lives, as Peter wrote at the end of verse eight, becoming unfruitful and ineffective. But if we walk in the Spirit, we'll be spared from being disqualified for the Lord's service and pleasure. God guards the Christian who moves forward for him. The peril lies in spiritual sloth, indifference, and blindness. Paul was inspired to warn when writing to the Corinthians, by the grace of God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care, for no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. And if anyone builds on this foundation using valuable things like gold, silver, and costly stones, or not so valuable things like wood, hair, straw, their work will be shown for what it is. Because the day will bring it to light, and it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person's work. If what has been built survives, then the builder will receive a reward. But if it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss, yet will still be saved, even though it was only one escaping through the flames. God keeps true believers from falling away. As Jude writes in his brief epistle, giving God all the glory, to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy. To the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord before all ages now and forevermore, amen. Those who fall away by renouncing or by losing interest in their faith show that they were never saved to begin with. True faith, which is part of the gift of God and salvation, is by definition eternal. It perseveres. John makes this clear in his first epistle. They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us, for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But their going showed that none of them belonged to us. Gene L. Green writes, dedication to a virtuous life is the antidote to both spiritual blindness and to eventual ruin. John MacArthur suggests that by cultivating the moral virtues that Peter advocated for, believers will never stumble into doubt, despair, or fear, which allows them to confidently enjoy an abundant and productive spiritual life. And Peter is finally inspired to give one more eternally focused reason for us to equip our faith with all these building blocks for growth, because God promises he will supply the diligent a lavish entrance into his heavenly home. God promises the diligent a lavish entrance into his heavenly home. Verse number 11, you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A new international version for some odd reason leaves untranslated the introductory clause here that links verse 11, which just has come before. So the new American standard renders it, for in this way, The entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you. There'll be entrances, and there will be entrances. Some will be like the one that we just saw in 1 Corinthians C, someone barely saved through the flames with their rewards burned up. But there will be entrances that bestow great honor upon the recipient. Several commentators see in this phrase about the event described here a reference to Olympic champions return to their home where they would be celebrated with parades and excitement, perhaps a plaque or even a statue commemorating their victory. It's also important to note here that in one sense, Christ's eternal kingdom began when he came the first time. Douglas Moo explains, Jesus proclaimed the presence of the kingdom, a kingdom that the New Testament makes clear came into existence through Christ's death and resurrection. Christians now experience the kingdom, or better, the reign of Christ. Several scriptural passages indicate that in some way believers are already experiencing participation in the Lord's kingdom. For instance, Paul writes to the Colossians, for this reason, since the day we heard about you, we've not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the spirit gives. so that you may live a life that is worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, and being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might, so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the kingdom of light. we are already a part of the kingdom of light. He's rescued us from the dominion of darkness. He's brought us into the kingdom of the son he loves in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. To the Thessalonians he writes, therefore among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials that you are enduring. All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result, you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God for which you are suffering. The present aspect of God's kingdom can perhaps be best explained through the Lord's own words that by the way explain why some respond in faith while others cannot hear the call of God. He said in John chapter 10, I tell you the truth that anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold rather than going through the gate must surely be a thief and a robber. But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice, and they come to him. He calls his own sheep by name, and he leads them out. And after he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won't follow a stranger. They'll run from them because they don't know his voice. Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn't understand what he meant, so he explained it to them. I tell you the truth that I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and robbers, but the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the gate, and all who come in through me will be saved. They'll come and go freely and will find good pasture. The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. but my purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. How many can testify today that God has given them a rich and satisfying and abundant life in the here and now? We don't want to get shortsighted. We don't want to focus only on the here and now. Because Douglas Moo continues, the New Testament also makes clear that this kingdom has a future aspect to it. We pray your kingdom come because we're dissatisfied with the way things are as they are. And we long for the day when our sins and our trials will be no more. Praise the Lord that not only has he delivered us from sin's penalty and its power to dominate our lives by cleansing us with his blood, but one day, hopefully soon, he is going to deliver us from the presence of all sin when we arrive in heaven. Paul writes to the Galatians, the acts of the flesh are obvious, sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you as I did before that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom. And the Lord himself said in the final chapter of the scriptures, look, I'm coming soon. My reward is with me and I will give to each person according to what they've done. I am the Alpha, the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Blessed are those who wash their robes that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. This, my friends, is the glorious future that we have to look forward to, a rich welcome supplied by the Lord. In fact, we have yet another repeated word here. It's somewhat obscured by the NIV's translation. This entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus will be abundantly supplied. It will be richly abundantly, lavishly supplied, supplied being the same word, epicoriego, that we saw last time. Peter said that we are to lavishly supply the building blocks for faith's gross, not be cheese-sparing, as William Barclay put it. Well, here Peter says that God, in return, will even more lavishly, more richly and abundantly supply a welcome to those who faithfully striven to grow and serve as he has called us to do. That's why Paul wrote to Timothy, I'm already being poured out like a drink offering. The time for my departure is near. I've fought the good fight. I've finished the race. I've kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day. And not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever, amen. So I've quoted Douglas Moo a lot this morning, but his commentary is really excellent at this point. and he gives a summation of this entire first section that is worth hearing. He writes, what should be obvious to all of us is to be fair to scripture, we must make room in our understanding of sanctification for both the divine and the human side. We must insist both that it is God by his spirit who makes us holy and that it is we ourselves who have the job of becoming holy. Peter naturally emphasizes the human responsibility because he happens to be confronting a situation where people are in grave danger of becoming lax about holiness, and that is certainly true in our day. But Peter would certainly not want us to take what he has written in these verses, the whole truth. He would be, insist that To become godly in our own effort is doomed to failure if God by his spirit was not already working in us to produce that godliness. Practically then, we conclude with several suggestions to grow in godliness. First of all, we must make sure that we are in fact Christians. This is foundational. Remember that those who are true believers have at our disposal the Holy Spirit to enable our growth. Some people deceive themselves at just this point, thinking that they are Christians because they grew up in a Christian home, they walk down the aisle at some evangelistic event, or they find themselves frustrated at every turn when they try to live as God wants them to, and no wonder. One might as well, he writes, try to use a computer that is not plugged in as to try to become holy apart from the work of the Holy Spirit. He is our divine source of power for life. Second, we must use then all the means at our disposal with all diligence to cultivate the Spirit's power in our lives. Bible study, prayer, Christian worship, fellowship, and so on. People may well be born with natural athletic ability, but they will have little success in running an Olympic marathon unless they have cultivated that athletic ability over much time. And here he quotes Richard Forster, today we lack a theology for growth and particularly we need to learn to cooperate with the means of grace that God has ordained for the transformation of our human personality. Our participation in these God-ordained means will enable us to increasingly take into ourselves Christ's character and manner of life. Third, we must take responsibility to make our lives conform as best we can to the godly image that is presented in scripture. We all know that we don't do it in our own power, but we're still supposed to do it. Second Peter 2, nine to 11, then Peter is reminding us of the human side of salvation. Our effort in responding to God's grace in our lives is essential if we are to confirm that God has truly chosen us to be his child, and if we are to receive this rich, royal welcome into heaven. Those whom God has truly chosen will always, because he gives his spirit, respond to him, and thus confirm their election and get to heaven. In faithfulness to scripture, we face here what some call an antimony, two truths that are not contradictory, but which humanly we cannot reconcile either. There is a divine complementary tension here. God chooses and enables us to get to heaven. We must in turn choose God and live increasingly godly lives so that we can reach heaven. Though he's called us and he's chosen us, we work diligently to pursue godliness and growth if we expect to receive this rich welcome. We dare not presume on his grace. And Chuck Swindoll, close with this, puts it this way. We don't want to face the Lord Jesus Christ ashamed of uselessly and fruitlessly squandering the powerful provision and the precious promises that he has bestowed upon us at salvation. Rather, we must heed Peter's warnings, his reminders, and his promises. And through diligence in spiritual growth, we aim for the target of hope in Christ's return. The communion table is a reminder of all this. a reminder to keep our eyes focused, to not be shortsighted, not be nearsighted, not be blind, but indeed to do all that we can to confirm.