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. The first thing the apostle would have them keep in remembrance is THE GLORIOUS STATE OF A CHRISTIAN IN ETERNITY. 1. One reason why the glorious state of a Christian, either in time or eternity — in one case the kingdom of grace, and in the other the kingdom of glory — is called "the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ," is that it is the purchase of His blood; it is a purchased possession. 2. Then this kingdom may very properly be called "the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ," because it is the work of His hands. 3. We shall see then what we do not understand now — the nature, the office, the order, and the actions of angels. 4. We see the glory of "the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" in the act of His own exaltation. 5. But there are other peculiarities in this kingdom. There are peculiar privileges, which the inhabitants, and kings, and priests, and subjects of this kingdom enjoy. One of these privileges is this: whatever we see increases our happiness; not only from its own excellency, but it increases our happiness because it is mine. "He that overcometh shall inherit all things." There is another thing which will finish heaven's happiness, and that is that every object is mine for ever. It is not only "the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ," but it is "the everlasting kingdom." II. We come now to THE GRAND WORK OF A CHRISTIAN IS TIME. What is that? 1. To make sure work for heaven, we must get a clear title to heaven. 2. Again, in order that we may make our calling and election sure, we must get a personal meetness for heaven, not merely a title. III. HOW MUST WE DO THIS WORK? 1. Here is the grand work; all you are to do is to enter into that work with all your hearts — "Give diligence." Exercise your given power and improve your given opportunity in removing impediments. 2. Again, exercise your given power, and improve your given opportunity, in an immediate application to the blood of the Lamb. 3. And then we must yield to the influence of the Holy Spirit; for without that we can do nothing. IV. THE MOTIVES TO ENGAGE US IN THE WORK AND SUPPORT US UNDER IT. 1. The all-important ground of this duty, and the all-important argument to engage us in this duty, is eternity. 2. Another argument is, the inestimable privileges in life. What are the inestimable privileges in life? Absolute security from apostacy. Give diligence, and you shall "never fall." 3. Then there is present happiness in making our calling and election sure. 4. There are, therefore, inestimable privileges in life; and there are inestimable advantages in death. "For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." (W. Dawson.) 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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