Peter Warns All Believers Against False Teachers Within and Exhorts Us to be Steadfast Volume 12

Peter was Intent to Put Every Believer in Recollection of God's Design for Us Part 2 2 Peter 1:14-15 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. KJV Note: NKJV=New King 👑James Version The Apostle Peter wrote all of this wonderful, wise, and warning truth to those early believers in our Lord Jesus Christ for their edifying, encouragement, and exhortation because they needed it and also because he wanted to leave with them a permanent record of spiritual truth for their good and God's Glory. Peter told them that he knew shortly that he must put off his tabernacle (2 Peter 1:14). The English word 'tabernacle' used by Peter here is translated by the Greek word skēnōma meaning the body (as a tenement for the soul): - tabernacle. Peter knew that the real him was encased or encamped or enclosed inside this outer structure we humans call the body. The Apostle did not see his body as something to be pampered or to take pride in or to promote as being wonderful, but instead Peter knew that it was his soul (the real him) that needed the nurture and nourishment of the Word of God daily and that Word being enable and energized by the Spirit of God also daily. This too is the entire idea the Apostle Paul was delivering to brother Timothy when he wrote him these words, "For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come." (1 Timothy 4:8)(NKJV). Peter (like Paul) saw this as the real design and desire of every true believer in our Lord Jesus Christ that should be exercised daily, for one glorious day our faith now will be sight as we gaze upon the One who died for us and gave us Himself just as the Apostle Paul wrote to the Colossians with these words, "And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross." (Colossians 2:13-14) (NKJV). Peter could not wait to take off the old dirty clothing of his tent, tabernacle, or body and then be clothed in his new indestructible glorified body given to him by our Lord Jesus Himself. It was our Lord Jesus Christ who told Peter how he would be murdered by people when he was old because of his walk with Christ and his standing in the truth, for we read these words written by the Apostle John, "'Most assuredly, I say to you (Peter), when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.' This He spoke, signifying by what death he (Peter) would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, 'Follow Me.' (John 21:18-19) (NKJV). Peter recalled these words as he was now much older (perhaps 30 plus years had gone by since Christ spoke these words to him) and the Spirit of God may have given some indication that the time was near at hand. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say of 2 Peter 1:14, "This is one of the few instances that have occurred in the world, where a man knew distinctly, long beforehand, what would be the manner of his own death, and where he could have it constantly in his eye. We cannot foresee this in regard to ourselves, but we may learn to feel that death is not far distant, and may accustom ourselves to think upon it in whatever manner it may come upon us, as Peter did, and endeavor to prepare for it. Peter would naturally seek to prepare himself for death in the particular form in which he knew it would occur to him; we should prepare for it in whatever way it may occur to us. The subject of crucifixion would be one of special interest to him; to us death itself should be the subject of unusual interest - the manner is to be left to God. Whatever may be the signs of its approach, whether sickness or grey hairs, we should meditate much upon an event so solemn to us; and as these indications thicken we should be more diligent, as Peter was, in doing the work that God has given us to do. Our days, like the fabled Sybil's leaves, become more valuable as they are diminished in number; and as the inevitable hour draws nearer to us, we should labor more diligently in our Master's cause, gird our loins more closely, and trim our lamps. Peter thought of the Cross, for it was such a death that he was led to anticipate. Let us think of the bed of languishing on which we may die, or of the blow that may strike us suddenly down in the midst of our way, calling us without a moment's warning into the presence of our Judge." However, first Peter before leaving the brethren and sisteren, he wanted to leave them with a record of the truth that they would be able to refer to it at anytime or place, so as to keep themselves from the false doctrines or teachings of false believers who had taken the truth and twisted it to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:16), just as also the Apostle Paul had warned brother Timothy with these words concerning such people, "But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." (2 Timothy 3:13 (NKJV). With this being at the forefront of Peter's mind he writes this to them, "Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance." (2 Peter 1:15) (KJV). It was Peter's earnest design and desire to leave this unshakable record of the truth with them that they may have it always. Peter uses the English word 'endeavour' which is translated by the Greek word spoudazō to use speed, that is, to make effort, be prompt or earnest: - give diligence, be diligent, labour, study. It is because Peter thought his time to be short that he wanted to labor in study diligently and work hard to get the truth that is written in his 1st epistle and now this 2nd epistle done so that those true believers then and we true believers now and of every era and generation would be able to know how our walk with the Lord Jesus must be when we are in times of suffering for His sake (1st letter ✉) and to be able to recognize fake, and fraudulent, and false believers (2nd letter ✉) so that we should not be moved away from our steadfastness 'in Christ' even as Paul the Apostle also wrote with these words warning brother Timothy of these same things, "But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 3:14-15) (NKJV). Peter uses the English word 'decease' to speak of his death and this word is translated by the Greek word exodos which simply means an exit, that is, (figuratively) death: - departing. This is the reality of every human beings death, they depart or exit out of their body to be with Christ Jesus (if they have been born again John 3:5) or to be apart or away from Christ Jesus (if they have not been born again Revelation 20:15 which is the second death). Here is what the Expositor's Bible Commentary had to say of 2 Peter 1:15, "'Yea, I will give diligence that at every time ye may be able after my decease to call these things to remembrance.' Jesus is related (Luke 9:31) to have conversed with Moses and Elias of His decease (εξοδος), which He should accomplish at Jerusalem. The word is rare in this sense, being commonly used, as in Hebrews 11:22, of the departing of the children of Israel from Egypt. But it is deeply printed in St. Peter's mind; and he, who looks forward to drinking of his Master's cup and dying somewhere as He died, employs the same word concerning his own end. And the word is another indication of the calm with which he can look forward to his death. As with Christ, there is no reluctance, no shrinking. The change will be but a departure, a passing from one stage to another, the putting off the worn garment of mortality to be clothed upon by the robe which is from heaven. His letters are the only means whereby he can speak after he has been taken from them. Hence his earnestness in writing. 'I will give diligence.' I have urged diligence on you; I will apply the lesson to myself, and make it possible that afterwards on every occasion you may have it before you. When dead, he will yet speak to them; so that in each new trial, in each time of need, they may strengthen their faith or be warned of their danger. "At every time,' he says; and thus his strengthening words of admonition are a legacy through the ages to the Church for evermore." If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Peter Warns All Believers Against False Teachers Within and Exhorts Us to be Steadfast Volume 11

Peter was Intent to Put Every Believer in Recollection of God's Design for Us Part 1 2 Peter 1:12-13 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; KJV Note: NKJV=New King 👑James Version After the Apostle Peter's great failure (out of fear) of denying our Lord Jesus Christ three times in front of men 🚹and women 🚺, when he turned back to our Lord Jesus, just as our Lord Jesus said to him with these words, "And the Lord said, 'Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.'" (Luke 22:31-32) (NKJV), Peter was forever determined to declare the truth of God's Holy Word anywhere and everywhere. Note: Notice very carefully what our Lord Jesus said to Peter, 'when you have returned to Me' (not if but when) and also notice what our Lord Jesus said to Peter, 'But I have prayed for you'. The reality of our Lord Jesus Christ Himself praying for us should always and at all times strengthen us with so much might in our inner man 👨and inner woman 👩that we should never doubt, draw back, or dilute the Word of God for no one. Peter learned this from his failure and his determination to walk closely in the counsel of God the Holy Spirit alone and to be ever watchful of the devil 👿and his demons, for it was Peter who told us in his first letter ✉ these words of pure wise gold, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world." (1 Peter 5:8-9) (NKJV). Therefore, Peter was writing these two letters to those early believers and to all of us who believe now and in every generation and era from the penning of his two letters that he wanted us to be 'put always in remembrance of the things that he had written even though we know them and are established in the present truth' (2 Peter 1:12). Why? Because we are very prone to forget these things, but if we have a reference document (these two letters) to go back to time and time again then we would not forget and we would walk in the truth or turn back to the truth if any of us have wandered away from the truth. Peter did not know that God/Jesus would compile all the words of His Prophets like Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, etc. and even his words into a Holy Book the Bible, but what Peter did know is that the brethren and sisteren needed his words written through him by inspiration of God the Holy Spirit to be forever available to those believers to draw from. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say of 2 Peter 1:12, "Wherefore I will not be negligent - That is, in view of the importance of these things. To put you always in remembrance - To give you the means of having them always in remembrance; to wit, by his writings. Though ye know them - It was of importance for Peter, as it is for ministers of the gospel now, to bring known truths to remembrance. Men are liable to forget them, and they do not exert the influence over them which they ought. It is the office of the ministry not only to impart to a people truths which they did not know before, but a large part of their work is to bring to recollection well-known truths. and to seek that they may exert a proper influence on the life. Amidst the cares, the business, the amusements, and the temptations of the world, even true Christians are prone to forget them; and the ministers of the gospel render them an essential service, even if they should do nothing more than remind them of truths which are well understood, and which they have known before. A pastor, in order to be useful, need not always aim at originality, or deem it necessary always to present truths which have never been heard of before. He renders an essential service to mankind who 'reminds' them of what they know but are prone to forget, and who endeavors to impress plain and familiar truths on the heart and conscience, for these truths are most important for man. And be established in the present truth - That is, the truth which is with you, or which you have received - Robinson's Lexicon on the word πάρειμι pareimi. The Apostle did not doubt that they were now confirmed in the truth as far as it had been made known to them, but he felt that amidst their trials, and especially as they were liable to be drawn away by false teachers, there was need of reminding them of the grounds on which the truths which they had embraced rested, and of adding his own testimony to confirm their Divine origin. Though we may be very firm in our belief of the truth, yet there is a propriety that the grounds of our faith should be stated to us frequently, that they may be always in our remembrance. The mere fact that at present we are firm in the belief of the truth, is no certain evidence that we shall always continue to be; nor because we are thus firm should we deem it improper for our religious teachers to state the grounds on which our faith rests, or to guard us against the arts of those who would attempt to subvert our faith." The Apostle Peter thinks it to be a holy and righteous thing that he always strives to put them/us in remembrance of all these things while he is still alive on the earth 🌎(2 Peter 1:13). Peter begins to realize that he is much older 🧓and if our Lord Jesus does not make His 2nd coming soon, then he would be going to the Lord himself and he must needs to leave a firm volume of truth for those brethren and sisteren to have for future reference. Peter uses the little English phrase 'to stir you up' which is translated by the Greek word diegeirō meaning to wake fully, that is, arouse (literally or figuratively): - arise, awake, raise, stir up. In other words, Peter was determined to wake sleeping believers (spiritually sleeping) out of their slumber with his letters back into the truth of God's Holy Counsel. Paul the Apostle also knew this same fact and reality was needed as a constant reminder for all believers of every era and generation, so he wrote these very words to the Church ⛪@Rome, "And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts." (Romans 13:11-14) (NKJV). Peter is saying the same things in this entire 2nd letter of his warning believers that the time is short and that we must cast off all darkness and walk/live in the light of our Lord Jesus Christ letting His Resurrection Life given to us by Him be prevalent, prominent, and predominate in our daily lives as we sojourn our way home to Him in Heaven. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say of 2 Peter 1:13, "'And I think it right.' The word marks the solemn estimate which the Apostle takes of his duty. It is a just and righteous work. Danger is abroad, and he has been made one of Christ's shepherds. Many motives prompt him to write his words of counsel and warning. First, his love for them as his brethren, some of them, perhaps, his children in Christ. Like St. Paul, he has them in his heart. Then, he will fulfill to the utmost the charge which the Lord gave him. He is conscious, too, that opportunities for the fulfillment of his trust will soon come to an end. 'As long as I am in this tabernacle,' he says. It is but a frail home, the body; and with St. Peter age was drawing on. He saw that the time of his departure could not be far off, and this left no excuse for remitting his admonitions. He must be urgent so long as he can. 'To stir you up by putting you in remembrance.' The work of the Apostle will be thoroughly done(διεγειρειν), and be of that nature for which the Holy Ghost was promised to himself and his fellows. 'He shall bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you.' Thus (John 14:26) would St. Peter, like St. Paul, impart unto the converts some spiritual gift, that he, with them, may be comforted, strengthened, each by the other's faith. So he proceeds to dwell on that Divine manifestation by which his own belief had been confirmed. And there would be memories of St. Paul's lessons also to call to their minds, and many of these would be awakened by an appeal like this. The falling away of the Galatians had been from a different cause, but the memory of the past would warn, and might strengthen, them all in the future against their new dangers." If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Peter Warns All Believers Against False Teachers Within and Exhorts Us to be Steadfast Volume 10

Making our Calling and Election Sure (to ourselves & to the world 🗺) Part 7 2 Peter 1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. KJV  Note: NKJV=New King 👑James Version The Apostle Peter in concluding his declaration to those early persecuted believers 'in Christ' and to us who have believed in Christ through their word (John 17:20) now gives the reason for his exhorting them and us to be diligent in making our calling and election sure to ourselves and that is by these words he wrote that would be the result of so doing, "For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 1:11). Our entrance into Christ Kingdom from His perspective is already done and dusted, however, for us we cannot expect to have what our Lord Jesus wants for us and that is to be calm, confident, and courageous at our physical death unless we are diligent, for the Apostle knows that this will only reign and rule in our souls if we have been diligent in cultivating the graces given to us at our Heavenly birth as we finish our race strong as the Apostle Paul declared with these words concerning himself, "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the Gospel of the grace of God." (Acts 20:24) (NKJV). In the two verses before Acts 20:24 Paul knew that continual persecution spiritual (from demons/devils) and physical (from demons/devils working through human beings) would come his way, yet none of those things could move him from the mission given him by Christ Jesus our Lord. This likewise is my declaration, desire, and determination to finish the work which my Lord Jesus Christ has given me to do. I have been led through the entire New Testament from Romans to this point I am now in 2 Peter verse by verse by the Holy Spirit to write Bible Study/Commentary and it is my design and desire to get through the end of Jude if it be the will of God for me to complete. The Apostle Peter wants us to go into our Heavenly Eternal home in victory as John Wesley said, "Ye shall go in full triumph to glory." We can get a taste or a glimpse of the Glory of God/Abba down here as we cultivate godliness and self-control and love and perseverance and courage/virtue, etc. We must come to fully realize and believe what our Lord Jesus said to the devil 👿when he tried to get Him to turn stones into bread or food to satisfy His physical hunger and Christ Jesus our Lord quoted His own words of, "But He answered and said, 'It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" (Matthew 4:4) (NKJV). It is the Word of God that sustains us, supplies us, and strengthens us always. In 2 Peter 1:11 the Apostle Peter in describing our entrance into our Heavenly home used the English word 'abundantly' which is translated by the Greek word plousiōs which means copiously/extravagantly: - abundantly, richly. When we see our Lord Jesus Christ after our physical death we want to be joyously looking upon Him for the first time with great love 😍and adoration, not hanging our heads in shame because we have finished our race weakly and not strong. Let each of us seek to finish strong as the brother Nu Tone says in his tilted Christian Rap song "Finish Strong" ! Here is what the Expositor's Bible Commentary had to say of 2 Peter 1:11, "For thus shall be richly supplied unto you the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In his first words in this passage the Apostle exhorted the believers to supply something, as it were, of their own towards their spiritual advancement; but when the demand was fully understood, behold God had made ready the means for doing everything which was asked for! Within the precious faith which He bestowed was enfolded the potentiality of every other grace. There they lay, as seeds in a seed-plot. All that men were bidden to do was to give them culture. Then God’s Spirit would operate as the generous sunshine, and cause each hidden power to unfold itself in its time and bloom into beauty and strength. In this verse the Divine assistance is more clearly promised. What men bestow shall be returned unto them manifold. Do your diligence, says the Apostle, and there shall be supplied unto you from the rich stores of God all that can help you forward in your heavenward journey. The kingdom of God shall begin for you while you are passing through this present life. For it can be set up within you. It has been prepared from all eternity in heaven, and will be enjoyed in full fruition when this life is ended. But it is a state, and not a place. The entrance thereto is opened here. The believer is beckoned into it; and with enraptured soul he enjoys through faith a foretaste of the things which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor heart of man conceived, the things which God has prepared for them that love Him. Over those joys Christ is King, but He is also the door; and those who enter through Him shall go in and out, and shall surely find pasture, even life for evermore." If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Peter Warns All Believers Against False Teachers Within and Exhorts Us to be Steadfast Volume 9

Making our Calling and Election Sure (to ourselves & to the world 🗺) Part 6 2 Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: KJV Note: NKJV=New King 👑James Version Now the Apostle Peter directly declares to those early converts to Christ who were suffering tremendous persecution in those early days of the Church ⛪how the knowing that they have been individually called by God the Father into His Heavenly Family and Kingdom will be for them comfort of mind and consolation to their souls and conformity to the will of God in all places and circumstances. Because in their/our diligence in adding those seven moral excellencies to the gift 📦of grace/faith that we have so undeservedly received from above we will have calm in our inner man 👨and inner woman 👩as assured sons and daughters of the Most High God. This is why the Apostle Peter writes these words for us here in 2 Peter 1:10, "give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:" In 2 Peter 1:5 Peter used the Greek word spoudē for the English word diligence which meant to be speedy and eager and earnest in adding these seven (7) moral excellencies to our grace/faith gift 📦, however, here in 2 Peter 1:10 the Apostle uses the Greek word spoudazō for the English word diligence which in this case means also to be speedy but as well it means to be make an effort, giving diligence/endeavor in labor and in study. In other words, or the idea Peter is spelling out for us is that it is our responsibility to work out of us the salvation that has been poured into us by the grace of God when we were regenerated, redeemed, and resurrected from spiritual death, that is, when we were born again. This is exactly what Paul the Apostle meant when he wrote these words to the brothers and sisters of the Philippian Church ⛪, "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." (Philippians 2:12-13) (NKJV). This is exactly the same thing the Apostle Peter here means in 2 Peter 1:10, but because these are two different men inspired by the same Holy Spirit there words are different, yet the meaning identical. God the Holy Spirit does not make each one of us identical robots but works through each son and daughter of God using our own unique personalities, proclivities, and perspectives as each child of God is made-up, for we are all the same in human form but created by God as His unique and different soul from any other. In God's mind each one of us are His sons and daughters before He ever created anything, but for our sakes we are to make our election = Divine selection sure or firm to ourselves so as to not be wondering around as pilgrims hoping we are saved, but knowing we are saved by grace through faith as the Apostle John recorded the Words of our Lord Jesus when He prayed these Words in John 17:3, "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." Also these words written by the Apostle John in his little epistle 1 John when he wrote this speaking in conclusion of the entire epistle of 1 John, "These things I have written to you who believe in the Name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the Name of the Son of God." (1 John 5:13) (NKJV). We can and we must examine ourselves by the entire letter ✉ of 1 John and then we can and will have the assurance (freedom from doubt) of our place in God's/Abba's Family and Heavenly Kingdom and the deposit of the Holy Spirit within us is our guarantee/insurance of our Heavenly Hope and Home with Christ Jesus our Lord forever, as Paul the Apostle wrote with these words to the Ephesian Church ⛪, "In Him (Jesus) you also trusted, after you heard the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:13-14) (NKJV). Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say of 2 Peter 1:10, "To exercise the afore mentioned graces, and to perform the above duties, since this is the way to make your calling and election sure; by calling is not meant a call to any office in the Church, nor an external call, either by the voice of nature, or by the ministry of the word; but an internal and effectual call by special grace, to grace here, and glory hereafter; instead of 'calling', the Alexandrian copy reads, 'comfort': and by 'election' is meant, not a national, nor Church election, but a particular and personal one, since scattered saints, and particular believers, are here written to, and each called upon to be diligent to make their own, and not another's, calling and election sure; nor is a choice of persons to an office designed, seeing the Apostle writes not to officers of Churches in particular, but to believers in common; nor a separation of persons from the world by the effectual calling, since these two are both mentioned here, and as distinct from each other, and to be made sure; but an election of particular persons to eternal life and salvation is here intended, which is an eternal act of God, arises from His free grace and favour, and is according to His Sovereign will and pleasure; and is absolute, and independent of any condition, foreseen, or required in men, as faith, holiness, and good works; all which are fruits and effects, and not causes and conditions of electing grace. These may be made 'sure', not in themselves, or with respect to God, for in this sense they cannot be made surer than they are: effectual calling is according to the purpose of God, which cannot be frustrated, and is, without repentance, irreversible, and irrevocable, and is inseparably connected with eternal glory; and election stands not upon the foot of works, but upon the free grace of God, which cannot be made void, and upon the will of God, which cannot be resisted; and is also closely connected with glorification; see Romans 8:30 nor are those to be made sure by saints, with respect to themselves; for though they may sometimes be at a loss about them, and may have some scruples and doubts in their minds concerning their interest in them, and an assurance of their being both called and chosen, may be after all attained unto by them; yet this is not their work, but it is the work of the Spirit of God, to certify and make sure unto them, or assure them of their calling and election of God: but the sense is, that diligence is to be used by the saints, to make their calling and election sure to others; not their election by their calling only, which is to themselves; for both are to be made sure, and that to others, and by some third thing; either to their fellow Christians, which they may do by giving them an account of the work of God upon their souls, joined with a testimony of their good lives and conversations; or rather to the world 'by good works', as the Vulgate Latin version and two copies of Beza's read; or 'by your good works', as the Alexandrian copy and the Syriac and Ethiopic versions read; or by the exercise of the graces, and the discharge of the duties before mentioned, whereby the men of the world may be certified and assured, by the best evidence the saints are capable of giving to them, or they of receiving, that they are the called and chosen of God, they profess themselves to be; and which is a reason why those things should be done: and another follows, for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall; or 'sin', as the Vulgate Latin and Arabic versions render it; not that they should never fall at all, or in any sense, for in many things we all offend or fall; or should ever commit any act of sin, or fall into sin, for there is no man that lives, and sins not; or that they should not fall from a degree of the lively exercise of grace, or from a degree of steadfastness in the doctrine of faith, but that they should never sin the sin against the Holy Ghost, or fall totally and finally; for though they fall, they should rise again by faith and repentance, through the grace and power of Christ, who is able to keep them from falling: and besides, while they were exercising those graces, and doing those duties, they should not fall; for these are the means of final perseverance, and therefore the rather to be regarded. Another argument, strengthening the exhortation, follows." If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Peter Warns All Believers Against False Teachers Within Volume 8

Making our Calling and Election Sure (to ourselves & to the world 🗺) Part 5 2 Peter 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. KJV Note: NKJV=New King 👑James Version Peter wants all of us to see where persistent deficiency on any of our parts of feeding on Christ and His Holy Word will lead us into; First, Peter says in 2 Peter 1:8 that "he that lacketh these things is blind." We all know and understand what physical blindness means, but there is a far worse blindness of the spirit for the son or daughter of Christ Jesus our Lord. Spiritual blindness can cause any of us to not feel near or close to God the Father. It is just like in the natural family where Parents and children can drift away from one another in closeness and fellowship caused by many different things on both parts, however, with our Heavenly Father when the closeness or intimacy begins to fade it is always we His children that have moved away from Him, for He never moves away His redeeming, restoring, and resurrecting love away from us. Here is how Charles Wesley declares it, "The eyes of his understanding are again closed. He cannot see God, or his pardoning love. He has lost the evidence of things not seen. Not able to see afar off - Literally, purblind. He has lost sight of the precious promises: perfect love and Heaven are equally out of his sight. Nay, he cannot now see what himself 🖐and pulled us out of that sinking sand and lifted us up and placed on firm ground where we could now see clearly with new eyes 👀and we looked back at that quicksand of sin that we thought was normal and with new eyes 👀we found it disgusting, dirty, and diseased. Therefore, to lack virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, brother kindness, and love would not just be a small thing, but it would be terrible, for it would show our ungratefulness for being rescued from such a horrible state or condition. Peter says it is if we have shut our spiritual eyes 👀which has caused any of us to forget that our old filthy/rotten sins were 'purged' and this English word is translated by the Greek word katharismos which means a washing off, that is, (morally) expiation (the act of atoning for sin or wrongdoing, that is, a satisfactory clearing of all sin): - cleansing, purge, purification. Remember what Paul declared to the Corinthian Church ⛪with these words, "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such WERE some of you. But you were WASHED, but you were SANCTIFIED, but you were JUSTIFIED in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God." (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) (NKJV). This is what our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ did on that Cross ➕at Calvary by shedding His Holy Blood to WASH every sinner who repents of their sin, that is, turns from their sin (180 degrees) to Him. If you ever think that sin is a little or light thing with God the Father, then just look at Calvary and see what He allowed to happen to His Holy Son for you and for me. We cannot and we must not ever forget what our sin cost God. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say of 2 Peter 1:9, "But he that lacketh these things,.... Or in, and with whom, they are not; that is, these virtues, as the Arabic version reads, as faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity; where the principles of those things are not, and they are not exercised and performed, such an one is blind: let him boast ever so much of his light and knowledge, and value himself upon it, and expect to be saved by it, let him live as he will; for he has no true knowledge of God, as in Christ, as the God of all grace, as his covenant God and Father; nor does he know what it is to have communion with Him in Christ; he only professes to know Him in words, while in works he denies Him; nor has he any right knowledge of Christ, only notional and general, not spiritual, experimental, particular, and practical; he does not see the Son, so as truly to believe in Him; he has no true sight of His beauty, suitableness, and fulness, and of Him for himself; nor any experience of the work of the Spirit of God upon his heart, whom he neither receives, sees, nor knows spiritually, any more than the world itself does; nor does he see the plague of his own heart, the corruptions of his nature, and the exceeding sinfulness of sin; nor has he any true spiritual light into the Gospel, and the doctrines of it, only a form origour. The Vulgate Latin version renders it, 'trying with the hand', as blind men do, feeling and groping to find the way; see Acts 17:27, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins; not by baptism, from the sins committed before it, for that does not purge from any sins, old or new, but that which it leads the faith of believers to, for pardon and cleansing, even the blood of Christ; but this also, and purification by it, is not meant here, though generally interpreters give this as the sense, and understanding it of the sin of ingratitude in such a person, who had received so great a benefit by Christ, and was unmindful of it; since it cannot be thought that one so described as above should ever have had his conscience purged by the Blood of Christ from his old sins, or those before conversion, unless it be by profession; and then the sense is, that he has forgotten that he once professed to have been purged from all his sins by Christ; which, if he had, would have made him zealous of good works, and put him upon glorifying Christ both in body and spirit. The Ethiopic version renders it, 'and he hath forgot to purge himself from shapen in sin, and went astray, and was called a transgressor from the womb; he does not think that he stands in any need of being purged from former sins; and is entirely unmindful of, and neglects, the purification of them by the Blood of Christ." If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Peter Warns All Believers Against False Teachers Within Volume 7

Making our Calling and Election Sure (to ourselves & to the world 🗺) Part 4 2 Peter 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. KJV Note: NKJV=New King 👑James Version The Apostle Peter wants us to know that the gift of grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8) that we have received must be exercised in order that we not become as it is written, 'be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ' as he declares here in 2 Peter 1:8. Let us examine the little English phrase 'be barren', for it is translated by the Greek word argos which is a negative particle meaning to be inactive (by implication) to be lazy or useless or idle. In other words, not adding those qualities listed above to our faith will make our faith 'in Christ' to become weak somewhat like our muscles in our human body undergo atrophy, that is, weakening or degeneration (especially through lack of use). So it is with our faith in Christ Jesus our Lord, we must exercise our faith 'in Christ' through communion with Him in unceasing prayer and consuming His flesh and His blood (through continual intake of His Holy Word) as our Lord Jesus told us with these words, "For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me." (John 6:55-57) (NKJV). Peter understood this emphatically for when our Lord Jesus asked all the Apostles if this teaching of eating His flesh and drinking His blood was to h🌎, but to do as Paul the Apostle wrote with these words to the Corinthian Church ⛪, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 15:58) (NKJV), for this mentality will cause us to want more and more from the gift 📦of grace through faith so undeservedly received by us from the gracious and loving Hand of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!!! Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say of 2 Peter 1:8, "For if these things be in you,.... Are wrought in you by the Spirit of God, and exercised and performed by His assistance, who works in His people both to will and do: and abound; increase in their acts and exercises by the frequent performance of them: they make you; both by way of influence and evidence, that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is a knowledge of Christ which is barren and fruitless; and those that have it are so in their conversations, and it will be of no avail to them another day: and this is a mere notional and speculative knowledge, such as is not attended with any inward experience and application of Christ to themselves, or any fruits of righteousness in their lives, and is a bare theory of things relating to His person, offices, and works; but there is a knowledge of Him that is spiritual and experimental, by which a soul not only approves of Christ, but places its trust and confidence in Him, and appropriates Him to himself, and practically observes His commands and ordinances in the faith of Him; and in love to Him he performs the above duties, and exercises the above graces; from whence it appears, that he is neither barren nor unfruitful himself in the profession of his knowledge of Christ; 'or in the acknowledgment of Him', as it ma If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Peter Warns All Believers Against False Teachers Within and Exhorts Us to be Steadfast Volume 6

Making our Calling and Election Sure (to ourselves & to the world 🗺) Part 3 2 Peter 1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. KJV Note: NKJV=New King 👑James Version The Apostle Peter now reaches the crescendo of his exhortations to us in adding to our gift of faith given to us by our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ at our birth into His Family and Heavenly Kingdom as he declares with these words in 2 Peter 1:7, "And to godliness brotherly kindness;" This is the wonderful affection we must show towards those souls who have the same like precious faith as we have in Christ Jesus our Lord. The English phrase 'brotherly kindness' is translated by the Greek word philadelphia which means fraternal affection: - brotherly love (kindness), love of the brethren. Our brothers and sisters 'in Christ' are to have the best from us always, not with standing that when and if we offend one another (which will occur sometimes as we sojourn home to Heaven) we are to earnestly seek reconciliation with them that the Body of Christ does not suffer, for the Apostle Paul tells us with these words how connected we are in Christ Body, "And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it." (1 Corinthians 12:26) (NKJV). The Body of Christ is just like our human bodies, for when we break a hand or a leg or a foot, the rest of the human body is affected by such a thing, so it is with us as sons and daughters of God/Abba. You see our first priority must be always and at all times to seek the good of one another (physically and spiritually), this is why Paul told the Corinthians to expel someone in their fellowship who was living (unrepentantly) in sexual immorality (until that brother repented and turned back to the Lord), for the Corinthian Church ⛪and every true Church ⛪of the Lord Jesus Christ is one lump and if something corrupt is present it will corrupt the whole lump/Church ⛪. This is why Paul wrote these words to them later on in his first letter ✉ to them, "Do not be deceived: 'Evil company corrupts good habits.'" (1 Corinthians 15:33)(NKJV). Brotherly kindness seeks the good always of those belonging to our Lord Jesus Christ because of our individual great love each of us should have for Him and so we should have for one another because we all are a part of Him. Our Lord Jesus Himself told us how we must deal with any brother or sister who sins against us and likewise how we are to be dealt with when we sin against them, as it is written, "'If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the Church. Then if he or she won't accept the Church's decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector." (Matthew 18:15-17) (NLT). This is true love and brotherly kindness one to another, for the goal is to be in loving and truthful fellowship with our brothers and sisters 'in Christ' not to let lies, lewdness, or lasciviousness run free in the fellowship and it be overlooked or ignored. Lastly, when we truly love our brothers and sisters 'in Christ' we will most assuredly have the desire Paul wrote with these words to the Church ⛪@Rome confronting those who were judging one another for eating meat or eating only vegetables, "So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way." (Romans 14:12-13) (NKJV). Here is the litmus test that declares whether we are truly walking in love to our brothers and sisters 'in Christ', when we never want to do anything, to say anything, to teach anything, to affirm anything that might cause one of them to fall into sin or be caught in any sin. Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of brotherly kindness, "We must add brotherly-kindness, a tender affection to all our fellow-Christians, who are children of the same Father, servants of the same Master, members of the same family, travellers to the same country, and heirs of the same inheritance, and therefore are to be loved with a pure heart fervently, with a love of complacency, as those who are peculiarly near and dear to us, in whom we take particular delight, Psalms 16:3." Finally, the Apostle reaches the very peak of what we must add to our gift of faith with these words in 2 Peter 1:7, "And to brotherly kindness charity." This English word 'charity' is translated by the Greek word agapē which means love, that is, affection or benevolence; specifically (plural) a love feast: - dear love or to put it plainly God's love. This love no human being is born with nor can any human being work it up within them nor can any human live out this love in their human strength. This love of God comes only to those of us who have been born of God (John 1:13), for this love is the love that God has for all of humanity (even those who hate Him and even corrupt Him and His Word). God's love made manifest or revealed in us causes us to want the highest good (not only for those whom we love and whom love us) for those who even hate us and want to harm, hurt, or harass us even when we have done nothing offensive to any of them. It is the love of Christ within us that compels us to want to see the highest good for them and the highest good is that they too be 'born again' and be brought out of darkness (Colossians 1:13-14) into Christ Jesus our Lord and His marvelous light. Paul said this to the Corinthian Church ⛪, "For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;" (2 Corinthians 5:13-14) (NKJV). All human beings are born dead to God and only by the Power of the Holy Spirit working through the dead sinner hearing the Gospel of Grace can they be made alive to God and brought supernaturally out of their enslavement to sin and death, as it is written, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23) (NLT). There is nothing within us to want the good of those who hate us, but when we come to Christ that desire is given to us by Him and so we declare the Gospel to all who will listen, then we pray for them to be awakened from spiritual death and given eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Everyone of us fall short of being like our Lord Jesus Christ in showing this love to world 🗺, that is, the people still of the world, but we must strive, scrap, and struggle to keep moving toward Him and His love for us and His love in us so that He will be glorified forever from even one soul that repents and is born again because we declared the truth to them without compromise. When we do good to all men 🚹and women 🚺(Galatians 6:10) and return not our own evil back to them for their evil against us (1 Thessalonians 5:15) then we are making visible God's agape love poured out into our hearts when He birthed us into His family as Paul wrote with these words to the Church ⛪@Rome, "And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love." (Romans 5:5) (NLT). Amen!!! Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of God's agape love, "Charity, or a love of good-will to all mankind, must be added to the love of delight which we have for those who are the children of God. God has made of one blood all nations, and all the children of men are partakers of the same human nature, are all capable of the same mercies, and liable to the same afflictions, and therefore, though upon a spiritual account Christians are distinguished and dignified above those who are without Christ, yet are they to sympathize with others in their calamities, and relieve their necessities, and promote their welfare both in body and soul, as they have opportunity: thus must all believers in Christ evidence that they are the children of God, who is good to all, but is especially good to Israel." "Often Divine Holiness and love are set over against one another, but in Scripture this is never the case. This is best seen in the context of the affirmation, 'God is love' (1 John 4:8). John, in this context, does not view the love of God as mere sentimentality or a blind overlooking of our sin; rather, he views Divine love as that which loves the unlovely and undeserving. In fact,the supreme display of God's love is found in the Father giving His own dear Son as our propitiatory (Intended to reconcile or appease) sacrifice that turn back God's holy anger against us and satisfies the demands of justice on our behalf (1 John 4:8-10). Thus, in the Cross of Christ we see the greatest demonstration of both the holiness and love of God fully expressed, where justice and grace come together, and God remains both just and the justifier of those who have faith in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:21-26)." (Holman's Bible Dictionary). If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...