If I were to teach that you had nothing to do with accepting the salvation freely offered to you; then how would I explain how you have something to do with applying the free gift of faith given to you and to every man, and how would I explain that not doing that would effect your entrance into the eternal Kingdom?

For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. Romans 12:3

Every man is given faith. It is what he does with it that makes him worthy to enter into the kingdom.

Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, 35 but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; Luke 20:34-35 NASB

This teaching clues us in. This verse from our Lord makes clear just when the resurrection will occur after this age. It also makes clear that man must be worthy of entrance into the kingdom. Actually we must be made worthy. Peter a Disciple who taught at Messiah’s feet explains how the believers walk works in this age.

Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you. 2 Peter 1:10-11 NASB

Peter’s message is about stumbling or not stumbling, with an end result of entrance or no entrance into the eternal kingdom. Diligence is his instruction. We will see this word “diligence” again. If we are diligent; It would then do us well to know what the “THEREFORE” in these verses instructed. The purpose of “this post” is not to go into, what this “therefore” is about, but to help you to understand that you are involved in the saviors calling and choosing you. If you are diligent you will study what the Spirit is saying through Peter here.

For the purpose of this post, consider — He has given to everyone a measure of faith. So what is He looking for from you when His Holy Spirit is blowing as the wind, all around you. Are you walking in His Spirit? What have you done with your gift of faith? Have you reserved enough of it for Him, or have you squandered it all elsewhere?— perhaps in evolution, or in wealth, or in your own works, rather than in seeking for Him. This is important because:

And without faith it is impossible to please Him,

for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 NASB

There is that word again. Where is your diligence for your creator?

Consider two brothers in scripture, who were twins, Jacob and Esau. Both were born in the same womb by the same father, a father of our faith, born into the same lineage of promises including the promised Messiah; but only one was diligent for the eternal kingdom that Messiah would bring. Esau could care less about his birthright. Jacob would do almost anything to possess it. Yes he was a sinner like — just like his brother Esau. In fact, we all are, but Jacob would wrestle all night not letting go of his God in order to acquire and possess God’s blessing for him.

If you and I are to have the assurance of entrance into God’s eternal kingdom, we must grow the faith that He has gifted us.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Do you wrestle with God when you see a passage like this:

diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;

Or do you let some preacher tell you that you are ok because you have believed and been baptized. Or you are ok because in addition to these you have taken communion. Or you are ok because you are the chosen. Or you are ok because….

If you consider yourself to be one of Gods own:

“This is the DAY for the people of God to ARISE and LIVE and WALK in the provisions of the SON in OUR FATHER’S HOUSE. All things are HIS, and HE is looking for a healthy return upon the investment that HE has given.” This quote was taken from Brian Troxel, A Word In Season.

Lately, I have been writing you about faith. I will continue this Study hopefully in the next post, as we look further at what Peter has to say to us, and what is implied in his teaching, and in his “therefore”.

God bless you as you diligently seek Him to walk with Him and in Him. Only in Him do we possess what is promised to all who are in Him.