Our Calling and Election

II Peter 1:10-11.

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Wherefore: Referring back to the previous verses, Peter says that because we sometimes fail to clearly see what God has done for us, we need to be diligent about knowing Him through His Word. I’m sure you would agree with me that we can lose sight of our future in heaven when we focus on the troubles and trials here on earth. So–we need to deliberately choose to focus on what He has done for us. We need to make our:

Calling: A calling is an invitation. In this context, it is the Divine invitation to embrace the salvation of God. He has freely offered forgiveness and redemption to all mankind. What we do with the offer determines our eternal future.
Election:

1. the act of picking out, choosing
   1. of the act of God’s free will by which before the foundation of the world He decreed His blessings to certain persons (those who would choose Him)
   2. the decree made from choice by which He determined to bless certain persons through Christ by grace alone
2. a thing or person chosen
   1. of persons: God’s elect

BlueLetterBible.com

I will not engage in the never-ending wrangle that centers on this word, “elect.” It has been argued for centuries now, and never resolved. Frankly, I think John Calvin would be horrified at the division this teaching has created. I believe that when we choose Him, we become His elect. Others believe differently. God will settle it all one day. The message here is simple, really. We are to live in such a way that our future in heaven is secure, not by our own works, but by the living out of His work on Calvary.

When we live in this way, we will not stumble. We will enter abundantly into His presence for all eternity. That is where our focus should be.