Mr. Beaver's Advice

“But, in general, take my advice, when you meet anything that's going to be human and isn't yet, or used to be human once and isn't now, or ought to be human and isn't, you keep your eyes on it and feel for your hatchet.” These lines were spoken by Mr. Beaver about the White Witch in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I think they can help us think through the first chapter of 2 Peter. I love Peter. You can hear so much of his feisty, passionate personality in this letter. Written near the end of his life, he writes as a dying man to dying men. He holds nothing back because the salvation of souls is at stake, and he is not long for this world. In the opening chapter, verses 5-8, describe the qualities and characteristics of a true Christian. He then gives a warning in v. 9, “For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.”

Peter does not only warn he encourages the saints, “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall” (v. 10). We see two important theological terms here “calling” and “election.” Let’s look at the latter, election is God’s gracious selection of those whom he will save through his Son (Rom 8:28-39; Eph 1:3-14). In Ephesians, Paul said God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world (1:4). Election happened in the past but is made effectual as we are called to Christ through the preaching of the gospel, “It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess. 2:14).

How do we diligently confirm our calling and election? Peter tells us that we will practice the qualities of vv. 5-8. Jesus said you will be able to know a tree by its fruit. This applies to Peter’s words here. We will know who is a true Christian by those who are “virtuous,” “knowledgeable,” “self-controlled,” “steadfast,” “godly,” “brotherly affection,” and “loving” (2 Peter 1:5-7). If we desire to increase in these qualities, we will be effective and fruitful followers of Jesus Christ, which will help us confirm our calling and election.