2 Peter 1:10-11 Why the rather, brothers, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, you shall never fall:… I. IT IS NOT ONLY POSSIBLE, BUT A DUTY IN CHRISTIANS, TO ENDEAVOUR AFTER AN ASSURANCE OF THEIR EFFECTUAL CALLING AND ELECTION. 1. When we say a believer may and ought to be assured of his calling and election, we do not mean as if of his own self he could have this Divine persuasion. As it is with the colours that are the object of the sight, though they be never so good and visible, yet if there be no light the eye cannot see them. Thus it is here: though there be never such excellent graces, and though God hath wrought a wonderful change in thee, yet thou art not able to see it till the Spirit of God enable thee. 2. The soul of a man, being a rational and spiritual substance, hath two kinds of acts. There are, first, the direct acts of the soul, whereby it is carried out immediately and directly to some object. And there are, secondly, reflex acts, whereby the soul considers and takes notice of what acts it doth. It is as if the eye were turned inward to see itself (1 John 2:3). So that when we believe in God, that is a direct act of the soul; when we repent of sin, because God is dishonoured, that is a direct act; but when we know that we do believe, and that we do repent, this is a reflex act. Now, whether this certainty or assurance be a certainty of faith, or of sense, or rather mixed of both, I shall not dispute. 3. This assurance is a privilege which may be had, and it is our sin if we breathe not after it, or do anything that may justly fill our hearts with doubts and diffidence. Yet it is not of absolute necessity to salvation. 4. Neither yet is this assurance the apostle presses us unto such as admits of no doubts, no temptations or oppositions by Satan. II. CONSIDER WHAT ARE THOSE EFFECTS OF GRACE WHICH, IF A MAN WALK IN, HE MAY BE PARTAKER OF THIS PRIVILEGE; not but that God by His absolute sovereignty, and for holy ends, may leave the most circumspect Christians in darkness, without any light, as it was in Job. And the prophet intimateth, "Who is among you that feareth God, and hath no light, walking in darkness?" (Isaiah 1.10.) 1. We must give all diligence and heed to the obtaining of this privilege. We must make it our business; it must be importunately begged for in prayer. 2. The way to obtain this assurance is a fruitful, fervent, and active walking in all the ways of holiness. "If these things be in you and abound," saith the apostle. The sparks that are ready to go out do hardly evidence there is any fire. We doubt of life when we feel scarce any breath. And thus it is here. The more negligent and lazy thou art in the ways of godliness, the less certainty must needs be in thee. And the reason is plain; for if graces exercised be the sign or seal, then the more these appear, the more thriving and flourishing they are, the surer testimonies there will be of thy calling and election. 3. Another way to preserve or obtain this assurance is humility and meekness, going out of ourselves, avoiding all presumption, all self-righteousness (Philippians 2:12). 4. This assurance is obtained and preserved by a tender watchfulness against all known sin. For it being sin only that separates between God and the soul, this only raiseth up the great gulf, there fore all witting and willing allowing of this is a direct destroyer of all assurance. 5. Another way to obtain this is to take heed of grieving the Spirit of God or quenching the motions of it. For seeing it is the Spirit of God that witnesseth, and it is the Spirit that feeleth, if we would have assurance, we are to nourish it, to do nothing that may resist and repel it. 6. If thou wouldst attain to this assurance, acquaint thyself well with the covenant of the gospel, with the precious promises revealed there, with the gracious condescensions of God's love in Christ. Many of the children of God are kept in a doubtful and perplexed estate because they consider not the riches of Christ's grace revealed in the gospel. (Anthony Burgess.) Parallel Verses KJV: Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: |
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