The Marine Corps motto, Semper Fidelis, means “always faithful” and characterizes their commitment. An even greater fellowship is found in the brotherhood of the Lamb to which Christians belong. In this text we are exhorted to be faithful.
Our calling, in “his own glory and goodness,” is described in John 12:32 where Jesus said, “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” Our knowledge (epignosis) of his death, our precise understanding of the gospel facts and their relationship to one another produce belief resulting in the “gift of God,” our salvation. These facts are described in 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4: “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” “Scripture” refers to the Old Testament predictive prophecies. These, coupled with Jesus’ miracles and his resurrection, are the facts upon which our belief in Jesus rests.
Our faith in his blood as a propitiatory redemption for our sins results in our having “his very great and precious promises” that demand action to secure our “calling and election.” “Calling” (klesis) is God’s invitation to us through the facts to accept his salvation. “Election” (ekloge) denotes God’s selection of the church to receive salvation.
We are to expend every effort to do our best for our Master by adding to our faith the attributes Peter lists. If we do so we will grow to become “[participants] in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” (2 Peter 1:4) and fruitful. If not, we will become blind again, forgetting our cleansing from sin and returning to our former sinful ways, worse off than before our cleansing. |L
Richard F. Wilson has been president of College of the Scriptures in Louisville, Kentucky for the past seven years. During that time he has served as chief administrator, professor, and acting dean. Richard and his wife Nancy have two daughters and currently make their home near Springville, Indiana.
