We have reached the conclusion of our series through 2 Peter 1:1–11. We began this journey by looking at the foundation of our faith and the grace and peace provided by God, and we have spent many weeks considering the seven qualities we are to add to that foundation.
"Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." — 2 Peter 1:10–11
Purposeful Action and Intentional Growth
We first encountered the word diligence at the beginning of this passage in verse 5: "But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith…" Now, Peter returns to it as he closes his argument.
Several different translations render this idea of "giving diligence" or "being diligent" — appearing in dozens of New Testament passages — as "work hard," "make every effort," or "endeavor." Regardless of the translation, the meaning is clear: we are called to purposeful action. None of the qualities we have discussed — virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love — will happen to us by accident.
By the very nature of adding these characteristics, we have set ourselves on a path of intentional growth. Peter begins and ends this instruction with the same encouragement: Do this on purpose! As I have mentioned throughout this series, we must do everything on purpose and "move forward well."
Making Your Calling and Election Sure
Peter presses us to understand the weight of this growth as he says, "be even more diligent to make your call and election sure." Paul gives a warning in 1 Corinthians 9:27 that we may certainly apply here: "But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified."
It is not enough to simply claim the name "Christian." The Christian life is not a destination or a singular achievement; it is a pursuit. Listen to the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:12–14:
"Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
In 1 Corinthians 10:12–13, after warning about God's people of old falling away because of their sin, Paul further warns:
"Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man, but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it."
It is possible to fail at the Christian life by a simple lack of attention to detail. If we are not moving forward well, on purpose, we risk falling backward into the world.
Growing Together as One Body
Thankfully, God does provide a way of escape and a means for growth. In 2 Peter 3:17–18, he tells us to "beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness… but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." Whether you are a "newborn babe" desiring the pure milk of the word (1 Peter 2:2–3) or a mature believer, we grow in Christ by depending on one another. Paul writes in Ephesians 4:15–16 that the body is "joined and knit together by what every joint supplies… causing growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love."
God has given us His Word, and He has given us each other. As we read in Hebrews 10:24–25, we must "consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds… encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near."
The Promise of an Abundant Entrance
Peter gives a remarkable promise in verse 10: "for if you do these things you will never stumble." In the context of 2 Peter 1:1–11, "these things" refers to the active, diligent adding of those seven qualities to our faith.
He completes this great passage with these hopeful words: "For so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." It is through our diligent growth and our efforts together to strengthen one another that we may be assured of our home in Heaven when this short life comes to an end.
How does this not excite our minds to want to work? Each quality we have studied depends on the ones that came before to be truly fulfilled. I am eager to grow in my faith — how about you? What will you do with these studies? Will you be a forgetful hearer or a doer of the work? (James 1:25) Will you be "transformed by the renewing of your mind"? (Romans 12:2)
Let us strengthen and encourage one another toward a greater, more faithful life in Christ. To do so effectively, we must first build up our own faith in Him!