Verse of the Day 6/1

Verse of  the Day 6/1

2 Peter 1:10-11  Therefore, brothers, make every effort to confirm your calling and election, because if you do these things you will never stumble. ¹¹ For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly supplied to you.   Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

In today's verses Peter is calling, challenging the brethren, God's Word is still calling and challenging us, to confirm our faith, the English Standard Version says we are to be "diligent to make" our election sure.  In some denominations children will go through confirmation class, others catechism, and others will participate in believers baptism to confirm, testify, declare publicly that they are followers of Christ. 

We must know what we believe, but as James wrote, we must be "doers of the word and not  hearer's only".   Peter begins the passage by stating that Jesus has given us everything we need, His Word, the Holy Spirit  and other Christians to challenge and encourage us to keep the faith.  Peter goes on to say in verses 5 -7 that we are to "supplement" our faith with virtue, knowledge, self control, steadfastness, godliness and brotherly love.  Wow!  That is quite a list but it is one that should be use to measure our growth.

Read the passage below.  If we see that we may be lacking or have neglected some of these things in our life, in our walk, The Message says "don't put it off", receive the invitation to make the change in the power of the Spirit that has been given to us.

^"So, friends, confirm God's invitation to you, his choice of you. Don't put it off; do it now. Do this, and you'll have your life on a firm footing, the streets paved and the way wide open into the eternal kingdom of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ. "  2 Peter 1:10-11 The Message

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

2 Peter 1:3-11The Message (MSG)

Don't Put It Off

^3-4 Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust.

^5-9 So don't lose a minute in building on what you've been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can't see what's right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books.

^10-11 So, friends, confirm God's invitation to you, his choice of you. Don't put it off; do it now. Do this, and you'll have your life on a firm footing, the streets paved and the way wide open into the eternal kingdom of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ.