Passage Read: 1 Peter 5 - 2 Peter 1
Meditation Verses: 2 Peter 1:10-11
Thought
Salvation is by faith alone, but that faith carries certain hallmarks of genuineness. We have received everything we need for life and godliness through Christ and in the Holy Spirit, but that doesn't mean we have nothing to do. Rather, Peter calls us to apply all diligence to grow in every aspect of Christ. Those who make every effort become effective and productive in their knowledge of Christ will never fall and will receive a rich welcome into Christ's eternal Kingdom. He gains great confidence in and assurance of his salvation. But the one who coasts, who gives his energy and effort to other things, who trusts God to do whatever work He wants in him and puts in little if any of his own effort, he gradually loses sight, first nearsighted then fully blind, having forgotten his past cleansing from sin. He becomes uncertain of his own salvation, he often falls into sin, and if he makes no changes to his Christian dedication, he becomes demoralized, discouraged and perhaps even abandons his faith. If he receives welcome into Christ's Kingdom, it is as one ashamed of fleeing the battle or one snatched from the flames. Or worse, there was never any evidence of his calling and election; he was never saved.
Application
The evidence and assurance of my salvation comes from how I make use of everything God has given me for life and godliness. If I apply all diligence to growing in faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love, I'll find God's Spirit boosting my efforts beyond my imagination. I'll gain great confidence in my salvation and victory over sin and be assured of a great welcome into Christ's presence. I'm not meant to be a passive participant in my sanctification and transformation into Christ's likeness, but an eager and hardworking driver of my growth. If I'm not working on my growth, I'm contributing to my loss of sight and in danger of discovering that my faith was never real and I don't even belong to Christ.