EVERY CONFIDENCE – 2 Peter 1:8-­‐11 Growth keeps you from being ineffective and unproductive Near-­‐sighted, blind and forgetful. V. 10 -­‐-­‐ Make every effort to confirm your calling and election. Don’t just go with the flow … swim upstream. Make every effort! SUMMARY EVERYTHING for godly living has been given to us through the knowledge of Christ who called us by his own glory goodness. EVERY EFFORT -­‐-­‐ Because of the divine power of his Holy Spirit and the rich provision of his grace he has given us, we must strive, work hard, spend every ounce of our energies to grow in the attributes and character of Christ. EVERY CONFIDENCE – We don’t buy our way into heaven by doing good works. However, growth in godliness shows that we have a true knowledge of God. Without it, we do not see what has been accomplished in Christ in the past, and the glorious and promised inheritance of eternity. We can have every confidence that we are his, if we confirm our calling and election by walking in his way. To this we must make every effort. MAKE EVERY EFFORT A Series on 2 Peter Week 3 – 2 Peter 1:1-­‐11 INTRODUCTION Peter Friend of Jesus Many failures Pillar of the church A letter written at life’s end. EVERYTHING – 2 Peter 1:1-­‐4 We have a great faith in a great savior Jesus Christ. He has given us everything we need to live a godly life, to participate in his nature. With his great promises ever before eyes we can resist the allure of sin, walk in his ways and escape the corruption of this world. EVERY EFFORT – 2 Peter 1:5-­‐8 For this very reason… We have a part to play. Dick Lucas & Christopher Green: “Personal and private assent to the lordship of Jesus must work itself out in public and practical ways… Faith is both foundational and functional.” 2 Peter 1:10. 2 Peter 1:15, 2 Peter 3:14 “Work” isn’t a four-­‐letter word. We contribute nothing to our justification, but we have a part to play in our sanctification. Kevin DeYoung: “Yes, the gospel drives us toward Christlikeness. Yes, faith fuels our obedience. But we still put forth effort. God’s mercy does not automatically produce obedience. We must be told to obey and then go do it.” Paul on effort: Romans 8:13, Eph. 4:22-­‐24, Col. 3:5, 1 Tim 6:12, 1 Cor. 9:24-­‐27, Philippians 3:12-­‐14 Col. 1:29 -­‐-­‐ To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me. Jerry Bridges: “No one can attain any degree of holiness without God working in his life. But just as surely, no one will attain it without effort on his part. God made it possible for us to walk in holiness. But he has given us the responsibility for doing the walking.” Addition is the new math… “epichorego” – generous and costly co-­‐operation. A list for those with vision: Faith Goodness Knowledge Self-­‐control Perseverance Godliness Mutual affection Love Michael Green: “This agape might be defined as a deliberate desire for the highest good of the one loved, which shows itself in sacrificial action for that person’s good. This is what God did for us (Jn. 3:16). This is what he wants us to do (1 Jn. 3:16). This list started with faith and ended with love. Faith is the root and love is the fruit of the Christian life we are called to make every effort to walk in.