Treasures New and Old

God’s Pattern for His Disciples: Making Our Calling and Election Sure

In the year 2020, we did a series on discipleship. Now we will take a deeper look at that discipleship lifestyle than we did in 2020 by looking at what I call God’s pattern for His disciples.

For our article this month, we will look at making our calling and election sure. Last month, we used Deuteronomy 4:9 as the main text to get us started. You will note, as we looked at Deuteronomy 4:9, I inserted three numbers and a W into the text along with the Strong’s numbers so that you can look them up later.

The three things that God wants us to do highlighted in Deuteronomy 4:9 are as follows:

Take heed to ourselves
Keep our souls diligently
And teach them to our children and our children’s children

But Deuteronomy 4:9 comes with a warning: If we do not do those three things listed above, we will forget the things that God has taught us, and we will forget the things that we have seen God do in our lives, and we will forget the testimonies that He has given us, and we will certainly forget the things that He has promised us. In addition, because we will forget them, the Bible says that they will simply depart from our heart. They will leave us void of understanding, and we will lose the benefit of the wisdom of God.

Deuteronomy 4:9 (bold added): “Only (H7535) [1] take heed (H8104) to thyself, [2] and keep (H8104) thy soul (H5315) diligently (H3966), [W] lest (H6435) thou forget (H7911) the things (H1697) which (H834) thine eyes (H5869) have seen (H7200), and lest (H6435) they depart (H5493) from thy heart (H3824) all (H3605) the days (H3117) of thy life (H2416): [3] but teach (H3045) them thy sons (H1121), and thy sons’ (H1121) sons (H1121);”

However, if we do these things (What things? Things we are about to investigate in this article.), and do them diligently, God says that they will not depart from our hearts all the days of our lives, and that we will never fall. That means they will always be available for the Holy Spirit to bring them to our minds as we confront evil, or are tempted, or need to counsel someone, or even make a serious decision for ourselves.

So, let’s take a deeper look now at this section of Scripture that we find in 2 Peter 1:5-11 and dissect some of the Holy Spirit’s teaching to us regarding our calling and election. Let us keep our focus on these Scriptures as one of the Master’s disciples . . .

Making Our Calling and Election Sure

In our Baptist circles, it’s not popular to talk about the subject of election because so many see it as tied to the sovereignty of God and the concept that man has no choice about either being saved or staying lost. But as you look at the definitions that follow, you’ll see that the definition for election indicates a selection or a choosing on God’s part, not just to choose you for who you are, but to choose you for a role in His kingdom. (We are not discussing salvation here. This section of Scripture, by the Holy Spirit through Peter, is assuming that you are saved and following after Christ and wish to do so as effectively as one can.) You are chosen by God to serve in whatever capacity He has decided and has given you spiritual gifts with which to perform it. So don’t let the word election cause you to get confused or to be locked in on just the idea of God’s sovereignty. Indeed, He is sovereign, but he has also given us free will, and only God can see how they perfectly merge with each other.

Also calling is an interesting word because it denotes an invitation. God is crying out to you, calling you, to serve in some special capacity that only you can fulfill.

As we think about these two words that are the subject of this article, it can help us to realize that alone we would never be able to accomplish what God has called us to do or to fulfill our choosing/election. This section of Scripture in 2 Peter highlights some steps we can take to make our calling and election sure as we “work out our own salvation with fear and trembling”.

Take special note of the two references of giving all diligence. It’s the same concept we looked at last month in guarding our heart. We are to give all diligence to what God has called us to do in heeding/keeping ourselves, keeping our souls pure before Him, and then teach those things God has taught us to our sons, daughters, and grandchildren.

These several steps that Peter gives are a part of a process of growth that is built over time. Very much like when we go through the lifelong sanctification process where God is setting us apart, slowly cleaning us up, conforming us into the image of His dear Son, and preparing us to be a spotless and beautiful white-garment wearing bride that will be presented at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. He promises that we will be conformed into His image by the time we see Him face-to-face.

Meanwhile, we work through processes of growth while we guard our heart and work to keep our calling and election sure.

Let’s now dip into this section of Scripture. We will add a few Scriptures along the way and will comment on the major points that are buried in this section of text.

Those major points include: key definitions, what is our calling in Christ, an amplification of what election is as depicted in this section of Scripture, and how to make our election and calling sure. We will follow the process that Peter provided in these verses. And, finally, we will end up with sort of a rabbit trail that I really enjoyed when I read about something called the tola. You’ll have to wait till the end of the article to find out about the tola. Let’s dip in . . .

2 Peter 1:5-11 (emphasis added):

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for it 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 Savior Jesus Christ.

Key Definitions

Verse 5 starts out having us add to our faith. Not just adding to our faith, which is where we start our Christian walk, but to do it diligently. We’ve already looked at that word a couple of times. So, starting with our faith in Christ, then as we walk the Christian walk, we perform a daily process for the rest of our lives of adding to our faith the character qualities that Peter mentions in this Scripture section. Like Romans 1:17 says, from “faith to faith”.

We will get into that process as one of the final points of this article.

For now, we will jump to verse 8. Peter reminds us that if we can follow this process of adding to our faith, that we will be able to enjoy a fruitful and fulfilled Christian life in the service of our King. We will never lack knowledge of our King, what He expects of us, and of our calling. We are to work diligently in this effort as per verse 10. Peter makes a very bold claim at the end of this verse: that if we do these things we shall never fall in this Christian walk. Wow, what a beautiful goal to shoot for. Being able to walk in faith without stumbling.

And finally in verse 11, Peter is going to remind us why we are doing these things. So that we can have an abundant entrance into the kingdom of our Master, our Lord Jesus Christ. After all, He is our Savior, and as His disciples, we should never forget that He has bought us with a price, has redeemed us at great cost to Himself, and, frankly, desires to deep and abiding fellowship with us on a daily basis.

Now let’s look at these definitions quickly . . .

Calling: Strong’s G2821: klesis: klay’-sis: “From a shorter form of G2564; an invitation (fig.):-calling”, vocation. Strong’s G2564: kaleo: kal-eh’-o: “Akin to the base of G2753; to “call” (properly aloud, . . .bid, call (forth), (whose, whose sur-) name (was [called])”. Strong’s G2753: keleuo: kel-yoo’-o: “From a primary word kello (to urge on); “hail”; to incite by word, that is, order: – bid, (at, give) command (-ment).”

Election: Strong’s G1589: ekloge: ek-log-ay’: “From G1586; (divine) selection (abstractly or concretely):-chosen, election.” Strong’s G1586: eklegomai: ek-leg’-om-ahee: “Middle voice from G1537 and G3004: (in its primary sense); to select: – make choice, choose (out), chosen.” Strong’s G1537: ek: ek; or ex: ex: “A primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence motion or action proceeds), from, out (of place, time or cause; literally or figuratively; direct or remote): – after, among, . . . thenceforth, through, . . . vehemently.” Strong’s G3004: lego: leg’-o: “A primary verb; properly to “lay” forth, that is, (figuratively) relate (in words [usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas G2036 and G5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while G4483 is properly to break silence merely, and G2980 means an extended or random harangue]); by implication to mean: – ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say (-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.”

Sure: Strong’s G949: bebaios: beb’-ah-yos: “From the base of G939 (through the idea of basality); stable (literally or figuratively): – firm, of force, stedfast, sure.” Strong’s G939: basis: bas’-ece: “From baino (to walk); a pace (“base”), that is, (by implication) the foot: – foot.”

What about Our Calling?

As you study the following verses, take careful note of the comments that follow each verse in regards to your calling. As you can see, there are several aspects of our calling. For instance, it is without repentance on God’s part, it is not according to the flesh, and God is very involved in the process.

Romans 11:29: “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” God does not call you and then change His mind. As I shared a few weeks ago, once God speaks and gives a promise, only He can break it, and He has never broken a promise, especially related to salvation.

1 Corinthians 1:26: “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:” Do not fear brothers and sisters, God delights in calling those who are not famous, super rich, politically on top of the heap, and possesses lots of man’s degrees. He calls the humble, the meek, those of us who are “foolish” enough to believe the simple gospel that Christ died for us on the cross.

He does call some of these rich, noble, and mighty, but their own pride keeps them from responding. Unfortunately, it is often pride that keeps even the poor and needy from accepting Christ. We are so oriented to seek acceptance from the world and the people in the world that we fear their reprisal, and our fear of man is greater than our fear of God. Man can, at his worst, kill the body; but God judges the soul and spirit and has the final decision of where we will spend eternity. We need to accept that calling.

Ephesians 1:18: “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,” God desires to impart wisdom and understanding to all that believe via three things:

- That you will know all about the hope of His calling. He called you and that provides hope to the believer. No matter the pain, trials, losses, rejections, struggles, and even the great times; He wants you to have absolute hope in His promises and in the fact that He called you from your spiritual death and gave you eternal life so that you may have fellowship with Him forever. So, no matter the pressures you are going through, you can have hope.

- That you will partake of the riches He has stored up for you. His calling includes an inheritance that was given to Christ and is to be shared with all that believe. These are not the rewards that can be earned as we serve Him, like a soul-winners crown, but the vast riches and glory that Christ holds and has said He will share with us. Ephesians 3 calls them “unsearchable riches” and Ephesians 1 lists a few of them as peace, grace, holiness, adoption, forgiveness, blameless, wisdom, prudence, kingship and priesthood, justification, sanctification, and glorification to name a few.

- He wants you to be enlightened in Him. Your understanding is no longer lingering in the darkness or the shadows, but fully in the light, bathed in His word and grace. To be enlightened in the Greek in the word photizo which means to shine or to brighten up, to illuminate, (bring to, the light, make to see clearly (Strong’s G5461)). Allow His Holy Spirit to teach and guide you in His Word, and as you meditate and make God’s Word yours, you will see things more clearly.

Philippians 3:14: “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Our calling is a serious and sober calling. There is joy and happy moments involved, but Paul asserts that our calling is a high calling, one that tops all other callings. Want to be governor? Great calling, important position, but not as high as that of being a born-again disciple of Jesus Christ.

Beloved, we are in training to be kings and priests! That is most certainly worth the work to press towards that prize of obtaining the mark God has set for each of us. Remember, the mark, gifts, assignments, ministries, etc. are all different for us as per 1 Corinthians, Chapter 12.

Hebrews 3:1: “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;” Not only do we have various saints in both the Old Testament and the New Testament to observe and emulate: prophets, apostles, patriarchs, kings, and priests; but we have the best possible example to follow, and that, of course, is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the highest priest, King of Kings, greatest apostle, our head, our groom, our firstborn among the saved, and, of course, our Savior and Lord.

We are not just observers of Him but partakers of Him by reason of the gift of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us. By reason of His shed blood that has cleansed us. By reason of His continued work that He is performing in us as He conforms us into His image. By reason of His preparation to make us His without spot or wrinkle and the snowy-white bride one day.

2 Timothy 1:9: “Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” The work of salvation is wholly completed by Christ alone. That work involves a holy calling as part of the salvation package. Holy, of course, means set apart, separate from, but also made pure and fit for the Master’s use. There is nothing we ourselves could ever do to become holy. But Christ has made us holy and has set us apart for His good pleasure. He is not just our Savior, but also our Lord and has called us to serve Him in this special, separated capacity we accept as our calling.

It is for His purpose that we are called. That is not a bad thing. The calling and purposes of God are so far superior to those we could have chosen, and we should all be excited to know that He has a specific purpose for us in His kingdom. It’s not just that you are bought with a price, but that you are part of His family. As a family member, God has chores for each of us just like we all have in our own earthly families, and they are not grievous the Scripture says. His burden is light, and He bears it with us.

Note that this calling is wrapped in God’s grace. The unmerited divine assistance given to us for our regeneration and sanctification – a virtue coming from God Himself. The state of sanctification is enjoyed through God’s power, or as one person once put it, “God’s favor towards the unworthy.”

And I note that Paul is telling Timothy that this grace and calling for each of us who believe was established in God’s heart before the universe was even formed. Such is His love for you. Consider, He has loved you for thousands of years before you ever thought to love Him.

What is Peter Saying about Election?

As you study the following two verses, take careful note of the comments that follow each verse in regards to election. We can divide the concept of election into two camps, the election of the saved; and the election of gifts, offices, assignments, and calling to service that we have after we are saved. We are not saved to just float around and wait for His return, but we are to occupy until He comes (Luke 19:13).

Romans 11:7: “What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.”

Paul is referring to the nation of Israel who did not believe in their Messiah and, therefore, rejected Him and were not saved. Here, the election is that body of Jewish believers who accepted the Messiah and followed Him. Those that did not were blinded (by the enemy – Satan) and, therefore, are not saved. This verse does speak strongly to election being directly related to salvation. But it also relates to what the election entails: following Jesus, obeying His teachings, walking in His light, and communing with God.

If we only look at the subject of election as a salvation only issue (and then get into arguments regarding sovereignty versus free will), we will miss all the other wonderful truths that follow our salvation that God has given us to enjoy.

1 Thessalonians 1:4: “Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.”

Here is another verse often used to prove election is related only to salvation. But that works only when you take it out of context. Look at the wider passage with this verse in the middle – Paul is encouraging the believers in Thessalonica in their Christian walk:

1 Thessalonians 1:2-5: “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.”

Look at some of the words Paul is using: your work of faith, your labor of love, without ceasing, your patience of hope. Then he also adds in power, in the Holy Ghost, with assurance, and knowing what manner of men they were. These are not the words to brand-new, just saved people; but words regarding people who have been walking in faith for some time and have a reputation of faith and are being encouraged by Paul. Therefore, election in this case is not referring to salvation, or at least not salvation alone, but to the calling of the work that they were elected to do after they got saved. In other words, to the daily walk that Jesus Christ has chosen for them to do.

So, as you can see, election is not a salvation only issue, but has to do with our daily walk in serving Him. That is why we need to continually make our calling and election sure daily.

How Do I Make My Calling Sure?

I told you earlier in this article that Peter not only told us to be diligent and promised that if we would be diligent we would never fall and have an abundant entrance into our glorious King’s kingdom. But he also gave us a multi-step process to follow. And now I’m going to discuss that process. These are some of the steps that we can use to help make our calling and election sure. (Truly, all of Paul’s, Peter’s, John’s, Jude’s and, of course, Jesus’ teaching work together to help us make our calling and election sure.) This is a concise list easy to focus on. These are things that we are to do constantly – it’s not a once only cycle. For instance, I don’t just add virtue to my faith one time. I will always be adding virtue to my faith. I will always be seeking to add knowledge to my virtue. Thus, the process goes. It is a repeating cycle that is lifelong, and disciples need to engage in it every day.

2 Peter 1:5-8: “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Remember the definition of sure? Firm, stable, sound walking, implied firm footing as you move forward. I might add as an expanded definition: steadfast, refuse to quit, firm of force, resolved, focused.

In one sense, Christ is the only one who can make our calling absolute. It is His calling for you, and He has started a work in you and promises to complete it – and He will.

But also notice what Peter says in vs. 5-8:

- Add to your faith virtue (valor, excellence, things that are praise worthy (Strong’s G703)); Disciples are to do honorable and virtuous acts – like those random acts of kindness. Only acts directed by the Holy Spirit and in concert with God’s words and your calling.

- Add to virtue knowledge (gnosis (Strong’s G1108), more than information but with the understanding also). How can we serve the King if we are ignorant of the King’s wishes, or His standards, or His focus for us? We can’t. Therefore, we add daily to our knowledge of the King by studying His words, His Scriptures. Good place to start is the Master’s own words in the Gospels.

- Add to knowledge temperance ((Strong’s G1466) self-control, will power, restraint, self-discipline). You will find, as I have, that our old flesh will constantly rear its ugly head and try to distract us by falling back into old sinful habits. Anger management is a real issue for most of us at times. We really need to have self-control in our lives when those temptation moments rear their ugly heads.

- I found that God gives me extra grace to handle those times whenever I start each morning in prayer and give the day to Him. It is like He then gives me a split second or two to make a choice when the temptation comes a select one of two paths: His way or the way of the flesh. On days I don’t start the day in prayer giving Him this day, it seems I never get that split second to even choose, I just naturally take the flesh route. We must exercise self-control, and giving ourselves to Christ daily really helps.

- Add to temperance patience (endurance under difficult circumstances, waiting on God’s timing, and to do it cheerfully!); Ok, ever meet the “unlovable believer”? You know, the sourdough faced, sixty-something, cranky, never happy with whatever you’re doing person in the church? Yes, you have. Not to mention the lost members of our family, friends, and co-workers. Therefore, God wants to be sure we are mentally prepared to stay humble and take the abuse for Christ’s sake, so that by our chaste behavior we may win them to Christ. That takes patience.

- Add to patience godliness (a sense of piety, of remembering that you have been set apart for God’s use, you are His son or daughter, and we need to behave like one of the King’s kids). Remembering that we have been chosen to serve Christ. That we are His ambassadors and servants (and family members of the King) helps me to realize that those who see me need to see Christ reflected in me. We need to behave in a godly (pious, pure) manner so that we can lift the Lord Jesus Christ up and so He can draw all men to Himself without those people seeing ugliness in us that would prevent them from seeing Christ.

- Add to godliness brotherly kindness (philadelphia (Strong’s G5360) – showing kindness towards all the saints, genuine love for the brethren). This ought to be obvious. We are to love one another. By this, Jesus says, all men will know that we are His disciples. Want to be a good disciple? Then, by all means, love the brothers and sisters in Christ (even the sixty-something, sourdough, cranky believer . . .)

- Add to brotherly kindness charity (agape: love: having a benevolence towards the brethren (Strong’s G26). Love that loves even when it is not returned, a love that loves in a way that strengthens and builds up the brethren but does not indulge in wants but helps meet real need). True godly love that puts others first before ourselves – that is important in one of Jesus’ disciples.

- This is a lifelong journey. If we stop growing in grace in the Lord, we fall back and become stagnate. Peter is simply reminding us to continue to grow and stay focused on that prize of the mark of the high calling by reminding us to make our election and calling sure, stable, and forward in motion.

Tola Lesson: Christ’s Calling

I want to complete this article with one of the best examples in nature that I have seen that depicts exactly what the Lord Jesus Christ did for us. The tola is a worm, but it’s also the color scarlet in Hebrew. In fact, as you read the points that follow, you’ll see that they are very closely related.

There is a worm called the tola in the Middle East. That particular worm was used to create the color scarlet for the priests’ garments. Examine carefully the different paragraphs that follow, and see if you can’t see the picture of the Lord Jesus Christ and what He did for us on the cross: becoming a worm on our behalf, became sin for us, bled and died for us, and rose again three days later – a lot like the tola in nature. The reason why I added this story to this article is because it reminds me of what I need to be focused on as a disciple: the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ on our behalf – and becoming more like Him. Oh, by the way, worms are very humble . . .

Tola: Coccuss Iliccus: type of Christ in nature

Tola is the Hebrew word for the color scarlet. Tola is also one of the four Hebrew words for worm.

Tola is the Hebrew name of a particular species of worm found in the Middle East. The scientific name for this worm is the “Coccuss Iliccus.”

The tola was used by the Hebrews to make scarlet dye. The worm would become a deep red color when it was filled with eggs. During this season, the people would collect the worms, dry them in the sun, grind them to powder, then mix them with a vinegar compound to make a scarlet dye.

Tola is translated biblically both ways:

- “. . . though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson (tola), they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:18).

- “I am a worm (tola), and no man” (Psalms 22:6a).

Let’s compare the tola with the Lord, since He refers to Himself as one in Psalm 22.

When the tola is filled with eggs it becomes a deep red color. The worm will climb onto an oak tree, permanently attach itself to the bark, and then die. When the eggs hatch, the first thing they eat to survive is the body of their mother. Once this is done, the young leave. A scarlet stain is left on the tree where the worm was eaten. The stain dries to a white one after three days. So . . .

The tola hangs itself on a tree and dies to give life to its young. The Lord hung on a tree and died so that we might have life.

The tola is scarlet colored when it dies. The Lord was cover in blood when He died.

The tola is eaten by it’s young. The Lord said: “For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed” (John 6:55).

The tola leaves a stain on the tree for three days. The Lord was buried for three days and three nights.

After the third day, the stain turns from scarlet to white. “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow.” Jesus came out of the grave victorious on the third day, and I know He was absolutely pure – the tola streak on the tree is symbolic of Christ’s victory as the streak turns from scarlet to white – just as our sins are removed permanently and we are seen as white (remember the bride’s clothing?)

The tola reminds me of Christ’s calling. Born to die on Calvary to set us free from sin. Big difference, Christ rose again and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

Let me finish with this final verse from 2 Thessalonians that basically calls us and reminds us to be worthy of His calling and to make our calling and election sure.

2 Thessalonians 1:11: “Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:”

Maranatha!

Bro. Joe

References

Strong, J. Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries. Meyers, R. (2005). e-Sword. [computer software] . Franklin, TN: Equipping Ministries Foundation. (Original work published 1539)

Article Archives

Privacy Policy