Living with Assurance: Confirming Your Calling 2 Peter 1:10
“So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away.”
Introduction: A Life of Certainty in Christ
Today, we’re going to consider a profound truth that lies at the core of our Christian walk: assurance. Many believers ask, "How can I be sure of my calling in Christ?" This is not just a theological question; it’s a deeply personal one. In a world full of uncertainties, wouldn’t it be comforting to know that you can live with full confidence in your relationship with God?
In 2 Peter 1:10, the apostle Peter encourages us to confirm our calling and election, saying, “Work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away.” This verse sets the foundation for living a life marked by the assurance that we are securely walking in God’s plan for us.
Today, we’ll explore three key passages: 2 Peter 1:10, John 12:26, and 2 Peter 1:5-11, and we’ll unpack how they teach us to live with assurance in our calling, follow Jesus faithfully, and persevere in growing our faith.
1. "Work Hard to Prove" — The Call to Diligence in Faith
Peter opens this verse by urging believers to “work hard” to confirm their calling. At first glance, this may sound like we’re being told to earn our salvation, but that’s not what Peter is saying. Rather, he’s urging us to actively live out the evidence of the grace we’ve already received.
The phrase “work hard” comes from the Greek word spoudazo, which means to be diligent or eager in one’s efforts. Peter’s audience was living in a time of intense persecution and false teaching. He was concerned that some might fall away due to discouragement or be deceived by false doctrines. His message is clear: Actively engage in your walk with God, don’t passively assume it. You see, while salvation is a gift of grace, our daily walk involves partnering with God in working out that salvation.
We are called to be diligent in growing our faith. This doesn’t mean striving in our own strength, but rather, living with intentionality in following Christ. God has called us and chosen us, and we are to live in such a way that the fruit of that calling is evident to others.
Philippians 2:12 (NLT): “Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.”
Paul echoes Peter’s call to actively live out our salvation with reverence for God. We are not passive observers in our walk with Christ but active participants in displaying His grace in our lives.
Imagine an athlete training for a marathon. Though they have been given the opportunity to run, the athlete still must train diligently, eat properly, and prepare for the race. In the same way, we’ve been given the gift of salvation, but we must train ourselves in godliness, developing our faith with diligence.
John Piper once said, “God is not looking for passive recipients of grace. He’s looking for people who will pursue Christ with all their heart.” Pursuing Christ involves daily effort, a diligent seeking of His presence and will.
2. "Where I Am, My Servant Will Also Be" — The Call to Follow Jesus Wholeheartedly
In John 12:26 (NLT), Jesus says, “Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honour anyone who serves me.” Following Jesus is not just about believing in Him; it’s about walking in His footsteps, serving where He serves, and doing what He calls us to do.
Here, Jesus is speaking to His disciples, explaining what it means to follow Him. The word "follow" in Greek is akoloutheo, which means to accompany or to walk in the same way. It’s not just about following Jesus at a distance but walking closely beside Him, mimicking His actions and attitudes. For the original listeners, this would have meant a willingness to endure hardship, rejection, and even persecution for the sake of Christ.
Today, we are called to follow Jesus not just in name but in action. Following Jesus means serving Him with our whole lives, wherever He leads. It’s about being His hands and feet in a world that needs to see the love of Christ in action.
Luke 9:23 (NLT): “Then he said to the crowd, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.’”
To follow Jesus is to deny ourselves, to take up the cross of self-sacrifice, and walk in His steps daily. This is a lifelong commitment, and it requires total devotion to Christ.
Consider the example of a loyal dog that follows its master everywhere—through storms, through fields, through the quiet moments and the loud ones. Wherever the master goes, the dog is right there. In the same way, we are called to be right where Jesus is, following Him faithfully in every season of life.
Francis Chan said, “Lukewarm people don’t really want to be saved from their sin; they want only to be saved from the penalty of their sin.” True discipleship requires more than just wanting salvation—it means committing to a life of following Jesus with everything we are.
3. "Add to Your Faith" — Growing in Spiritual Maturity (2 Peter 1:5-11)
In 2 Peter 1:5-11, Peter gives us a detailed list of qualities that should be present in the life of a believer who is growing in spiritual maturity. He says in 2 Peter 1:5-7 (NLT), “In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.”
Peter is giving us a picture of what a maturing Christian looks like. The Greek word for “add” or “supplement” is epichoregeo, which means to furnish abundantly or to supply generously. Peter is telling us to add to our faith these qualities in increasing measure. This is not a passive process but an intentional effort to grow in Christlikeness.
Growing in spiritual maturity means continually adding to our faith. We start with faith, but we don’t stop there. We add moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, and so on. Each of these qualities builds on the other, like layers of a strong foundation. As we grow in these areas, we become more effective and productive in our walk with Christ.
James 1:4 (NLT): “So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”
Spiritual growth is a process that requires endurance. As we grow, we become more complete, more like Christ, and more effective in our service to Him.
Think of a tree that starts as a small seed. As it grows, it adds layer upon layer of bark, leaves, and branches. Over time, it becomes strong and fruitful. In the same way, our spiritual growth is a process of adding layers to our faith, each one making us stronger and more fruitful in our walk with Christ.
As A.W. Tozer once said, “We must never rest until everything inside us worships God.” Growth in our spiritual walk is not about perfection but about continually pursuing a deeper relationship with God.
Conclusion: Confirming Our Calling
As we draw to a close, let’s return to 2 Peter 1:10: “So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away.” This is the assurance we can have as believers—that as we diligently grow in our faith, as we follow Jesus wholeheartedly, and as we add to our faith the qualities of godliness, we can live with the confidence that we are walking in God’s calling.
Call to Action: Walk in Confidence
I encourage you today—don’t be passive in your walk with God. Work diligently to confirm your calling, follow Jesus closely, and add to your faith the qualities that will make you effective and fruitful. God has called you, and He has equipped you to live a life of purpose. Walk in that calling with confidence, knowing that He is with you every step of the way.
Invitation for Those Who Don’t Know Christ
If you’re here today and you haven’t yet given your life to Jesus, I want to invite you to take that step. Jesus said, “Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me.” He’s calling you to follow Him today. Repent of your sins, turn to Him, and accept Him as your Lord and Saviour. He offers you the gift of eternal life and the assurance of walking with Him every day.
