Making Our Calling Sure


George Erwin


“Be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble.” 2 Pet 1:10. Many who think they are saved are lost. Mt 7:21-23. Can one be sure he is saved? Paul said that he knew. 2 Tim 1:12. John indicated we can know. “These things I have written to you … that you may know that you have eternal life.” 1 Jn 5:13.


Too many are relying upon things that do not assure salvation. Some think they may simply say, “Lord, have mercy upon me a sinner.” This is based upon a misunderstanding of the Bible teaching, “Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom. 10:13. Space does not allow me to discuss this great truth at this time. Our Lord plainly said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven.” Mt 7:21.


Many claim to teach in the name of Christ. They hold their Bibles high and quote scriptures, which they say, support their teaching. In reality, their teaching contradicts scripture. Many are led astray by false prophets who claim to speak in the name of Christ. Jesus will say, “I never knew you, depart from me.” Mt 7:23.


Some are sure they are saved because they claim to do many wonderful things in the name of Jesus. When people claim to perform miracles, to speak in tongues, and even to have been baptized with the Holy Spirit but who do not teach the truth, you can be sure their claim is false. God will send a strong delusion, and they will be condemned. 2 Thess 2:8-12.


Having a good conscience or feeling one has had a religious experience is no guarantee that one is saved. There has never been one more sincere or zealous in his beliefs than Saul of Tarsus. However, he opposed Christ and persecuted Christians unto death. Acts 9:1-5. He had a good conscience, even as he did this. Acts 23:1. Being happy is a natural fruit of knowing one is doing the will of God. Acts 8:39, Phil 4:4. However, rejoicing is not evidence that one is right with God. Many of the irreligious rejoice in worldly pursuits, and those who worship idols are happy in their idolatry.


Just believing in God and accepting Jesus as the Son of God is no assurance that one is saved. While Jesus was upon earth some believed in Him but refused to confess Him. Jn 12:42, 43. Would such belief have saved them? “The demons believe and tremble.” Jam 2:19. James also said, “A man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” Jam 2:24. The faith that saves is that which works by love. Gal 5:6.


Being immersed in water is no guarantee that one will be saved eternally. In Acts 19 twelve men who had been immersed by John’s baptism had to be baptized in the name of the Lord. 19:1-7. Many are baptized for the wrong reason or have the wrong motive. They, too, need to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Simon believed and was baptized, but he sinned in trying to purchase a power possessed only by the apostles. Peter said, “Your money perish with you ... Repent … of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.” Acts 8:13-22. If we are to be saved eternally, our lives must be changed when we are baptized into Christ. Rom 6:3, 4; Gal 3:26, 27.


Attending all services does not assure salvation. There was a man in the Corinthian church who evidently was faithful in attendance and accepted as a member in good standing. However, he showed by his life that he was a servant of Satan. Paul told the church to recognize that he belonged to Satan rather than Christ. 1 Cor 5:1-5. Those who forsake the assembly or commit other willful sins are not faithful to Christ. Heb 10:25-27. However, one is not faithful just because he never misses a service.


God has done much to make salvation available to all. Tit 2:11. He gave His Son to die for sinners. Jn 3:16; Rom 5:8. He revealed the gospel, His power to save. Rom 1:16, 17. He will forgive the believer who repents of sin and obeys Jesus. 2 Pet 3:9; Heb 5:8, 9. The blood of Christ continues to cleanse God’s children who faithfully walk in the light. 1 Jn 1:7.


The world’s most important question is, “What must I do to be saved?” Acts 9:6, 7 and 16:30. We summarize the Scriptural conditions of salvation. The one who has never become a Christian must: believe in God and His Son. Heb 11:6, Jn 8:24, and Acts 16:31. He or she must repent or forsake all sin. Lk. 13:3-5; Acts 2:38. confess faith in Jesus, that He is the Christ, the Son of God. Mt 10:32; Rom 10:10. be baptized, immersed in water for forgiveness of sin. Mk 16:16, Acts 2:38-41, and 1 Pet. 3:20, 21. He or she must now live righteously, being faithful unto death. Rom 6:16-18; Tit 2:11-14, and Rev 2:10. Christians must add to their faith virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. In so doing they make their “calling and election sure.” 2 Pe. 1:4-11.


Never trust your soul to chance. Be sure to abide in the doctrine (teaching) of Christ. 2 Jn 9-11. We can KNOW that we are saved when we “hear the sayings of Christ and do them.” We will thus build our hope of eternal life upon a solid foundation, rather than upon shifting sand. Mt. 7:24, 25. -111 Heather Court, Scott Depot, WV 25560.



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