PEACEFUL WARRIOR:
Matthew Henry has this to say about it: "...let Christians labour to attain assurance of their calling, and of their election, by believing and well-doing; and thus carefully to endeavour, is a firm argument of the grace and mercy of God, upholding them so that they shall not utterly fall."
So: Make haste and give careful and persistent study to the qualities previously mentioned. (2 Pet 5-7)
Thanks for your contribution PW.
I can't say I understand Henry's words here any differently than I do Peter's words ... to me they seem to say the same thing?
But you say it is by studying the qualities listed makes our calling and election sure? Yes? Could you elaborate please?
Yes--I think so. I am not saying I am right--just sharing how I understand it.
A warning exists in these verses:
"...whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins"
This warning is followed by a call-to-action:
"...be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall"
We are encouraged to 'practice these qualities' so that we do not become blind, forget, and fail. We should desire to seek a 'rich entrance' into the 'eternal kingdom' as "partakers of the divine nature" (verse 5).
Verse 5, in ESV, reads: "
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue (excellence), and virtue with knowledge..."
Peter goes on to say: "Therefore I intend
always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body,[h] to
stir you up by way of reminder..."
Peter wants all 'brethren' in Christ to have this rich entrance into the Kingdom. It is not clear to me
why, at this point, perhaps the reason is as simple as an expression of Peter's Godly love for fellow Believers; Peter has experienced the "riches" God has bestowed on him while still in his earthly 'tent'--what greater riches await those who are 'diligent to confirm their election and calling'!