Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:10–11 (NIV)
Have you been confirmed? No, we are not talking about the religious ceremony where young people are admitted to Communion. Peter is asking us to confirm our calling and election. Why is this important?
The Word of God is the seed which Christ plants in our hearts. The Parable of the Sower reminds us that the seed, when it is scattered on the ground, sometimes falls on earth that is inhospitable to growth. Any gardener or farmer can tell us that there is more to success than simply putting seed in the ground. Confirmation comes at harvest time when we gather nourishing fruits, vegetables, or grains.
It is a mistake to think that the planted seed will thrive on its own. Produce fruit that shows you have changed your hearts and lives. Luke 3:8 (CEB). Spiritually speaking, we can never question the quality of the seed planted in us. Jesus replied, “The Son of Man is the farmer who plants the good seed. Matthew 13:37 (NLT). There can be many reasons why our lives do not produce fruit, but never blame the seed.
When Jesus plants the seed you can be certain that it is good seed. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 1 Peter 1:23 (NIV)
Add to Your Faith
By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 2 Peter 1:3 (NLT)
In the natural realm, it is not unusual for us to be lacking everything that we need for productive growth. It might be poor water, or even a lack of water. But sometimes it’s too much water. Remembering the Parable of the Sower, soil conditions may be hard or rocky, and sometimes the weeds are overwhelming.
Spiritually, all of these things may be true as well, but through God’s divine power, there is not an obstacle that we cannot overcome. At times we can be ignorant of the great power that is available to us. Paul said:
I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 1:19–20 (NLT)
With everything that God has made available to us, it would be futile to complain to God when we are fruitless or barren in our spirits. God expects to partner with us, but we must respond, and not neglect the precious seed that he has planted in us.
Peter continues: For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 2 Peter 1:5–7 (NIV)
When we add to our faith, we will see fruit.
Increasing Measure
For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. 2 Peter 1:8–9 (NIV)
Farming requires patience. James tells us, “See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.” Fruitfulness requires patience. Before plants can produce fruit, they must grow and mature. When our growth is stunted, and progress is not as we would expect, the fruit may disappoint.
If we give up too soon, or we stop adding to our faith, our lives will not produce the desired fruit. The only way that we can bear the fruit that is necessary to be a blessing to others is to remain attached to our source: “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 (NLT)
Plant health begins with the roots, and so does ours. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:7 (NLT)
We do not have to try and produce fruit. In fact, when we are healthy and remain attached to the vine, with our roots deep into Christ, we will be fruitful.
The Confirmation
But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. Colossians 1:23 (NLT)
The surest sign that our calling and election is confirmed is the fruit that our lives produce. In the natural world, fruitfulness is seasonal. At my home, apple season is nearly over, and we will have to wait until next year. Our orange tree brings a harvest in the winter.
Fruitfulness in the life of a believer can be, “In season, and out of season.” There is no reason our lives should not continually produce fruit as a confirmation of our connection to Christ.
Another benefit when we confirm our calling and election: Do this, and you’ll have your life on a firm footing, the streets paved and the way wide open into the eternal kingdom of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:10–11 (MSG)
A confirmed life is a fruitful life!
Steve Ekeroth