SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 03-10-04
My
Worship Time Focus: Spiritual growth is seen in the security of the
believer
Bible
Reading & Meditation Reference: 2Peter 1:10-11
Message of the verse: “10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more
eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you
will never fall, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal
kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
(NIV) “10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain
about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things,
you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal
kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to
you.” (NASB)
Dr. Wiersbe says on the security of
the believer: “It is not our profession
of faith that guarantees that we are saved; it is our progression in the faith
that gives us that assurance.”
Peter is saying that calling and
election go together for the God who has elected those for salvation also
ordains the means of calling them. Again
Dr. Wiersbe’s commentary on this: “We do
not preach election to the unsaved people; we preach the Gospel. But God uses that Gospel to call sinners to
repentance, and then those sinners discover that they were chosen by God!”
How is it that a believer can make
sure of his calling and election? By
beginning to show these qualities being developed that Peter mentions in verses
5-7.
John MaCarthur gives this commentary
on the section in verse 10 “you will never stumble.” “As the Christian pursues the qualities
enumerated by Peter (vv.5-7) and sees that his life is useful and fruitful (v.
8), he will not stumble into doubt, despair, fear, or questioning, but enjoy
assurance that he is saved.”
In verse 11 Peter continues to give
hope to his readers by writing about heaven.
He is saying that those who follow the “recipe” that he has been writing
about in this section will experience this:
“God will open wide the gates of heaven for you to enter into the
eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (NLT)
Spiritual meaning for my life
today: Having the security that
Peter mentions is a wonderful thing to have, for because of it I am able to go
forth and do the works that God has prepared for me to do in eternity passed,
and by doing them, that too will add to this security. This section of Scripture (vv. 1-11) have had
a real effect upon my life, and I do not want to leave it at that, for I want
to continue in these next few weeks to go over this again, and then to pass it
on to those who come to our prayer meetings over the next weeks, and although
we will be leaving to go on vacation it has been arranged by, what I believe
the Spirit of God, to have Bruce Baker to continue with this while we are
gone. I am praying that God will use
this section of Scripture upon the hearts of those who come to enable them to
walk in a more holy life before our Lord, and by doing this will be prepared
for whomever the Lord has chosen to be our Pastor.
The
Word of God was comforting to me as I read and studied it this morning, and it
has also challenged my heart.
My
Steps of Faith Today: To continue to trust the Lord
in the area of our church. To be able to
put things in the past, and then to look forward with confidence that God will
begin to prepare our hearts for His man to lead us, and to look forward with
wonderful anticipation of what the Lord is going to do through His people at
Grace Baptist Church.
Memory verses for the week: Proverbs 3:5-8
Trust
in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding,
In
all your ways acknowledge Him; And He will direct your path.
Do
not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
It
will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.
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