Careless

Hello everyone,

How are you doing today? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord.

Primary Text

“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:” 2 Peter 1v10 (KJV)

“Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble,” 2 Peter 1v10 (NIV)

“So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away.” 2 Peter 1v10 (NLT)

“Because of this, brethren, be all the more solicitous and eager to make sure (to ratify, to strengthen, to make steadfast) your calling and election; for if you do this, you will never stumble or fall.” 2 Peter 1v10 (AMP)

“My brothers and sisters, try hard to be certain that you really are called and chosen by God. If you do all these things, you will never fall.” 2 Peter 1v10 (NCV)

The apostle Paul by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit says “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Romans 6v1-2, KJV). This 2 Peter 1v10 is saying in a sense, don’t be lackadaisical that is, apathetic, careless, lazy, relaxed, half-hearted, laid-back, easygoing, laissez-faire, lax or casual about your calling, about your faith, about your walk with God. In the previous verses (see below), the apostle Peter had mentioned certain things that as a believer you should work hard, and make every effort to develop, saying “The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their sins.” (2 Peter 1v8-9, NLT). Not only will you become productive and useful in your knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ if you do these things, but also, you will never stumble or fall. Be careful child of God, don’t be casual with God. Don’t think I am saved and I can do whatever I want. “… We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, … So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” (Romans 14v10&12).

Supplementary Text

“For this very reason, adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy), and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence), And in [exercising] knowledge [develop] self-control, and in [exercising] self-control [develop] steadfastness (patience, endurance), and in [exercising] steadfastness [develop] godliness (piety), And in [exercising] godliness [develop] brotherly affection, and in [exercising] brotherly affection [develop] Christian love. For as these qualities are yours and increasingly abound in you, they will keep [you] from being idle or unfruitful unto the [full personal] knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).” 2 Peter 1v5-8

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I thank You for this Word. Lord, help me not to be casual about my walk and relationship with You. Grant me the grace and tenacity to develop and exercise virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, brotherly affection and Christian love, even by faith in Jesus name, amen.