Eager

DEVOTION 2 PETER EAGER 2 Peter 1:10-11 10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Surely this falling does not include the continuation of failing perfection, for who can gain absolute perfection. But rather this speaks to the falling in which Israel did, falling away from God, from accepting the Messiah, accepting Jesus Christ as the Son of God and their Savior. Their disbelief did lead to the offering of the Gospel to the gentiles, to us, but to make Israel jealous, so as to bring them back. At least that is what God said through Paul in his letter to the Romans in chapter 11. We need to make sure we are eager to continue in the pursuit of God. Not to get catch up in religious activity, not to get distracted by tradition rather than truth as Israel did. We need to keep on track with faith in Jesus Christ for our salvation rather than in how good of Christians we are. It is so easy to make our faith about being good, about being proud that we do not commit certain sins. In some this means no drinking, no smoking, no dancing, no movies, no bowling, and no, no and more no. For some their faith is but a list of no’s they can check off as not doing, and thus may have been distracted from the truth that salvation comes from Jesus Christ and Him alone. For some their faith is all about staying to the traditions of the past, only certain styles of worship are acceptable, only certain translations are to be used, sanctuaries should only look a certain way, the color of the rug and pews, the color of the walls, the lighting, and whatever else they can think of that is more important than remaining in Christ, or for them these things are their way of remaining in Christ instead of through faith. Nothing is more important than faith in Christ for our salvation and faith in Him alone. Yes we should attempt to add to our character all those traits spoken of before. Yes we should attempt to live in a manner which is pleasing to God. Yes, we should turn from those desires prompted by temptations offered by the devil. Yes, we should do all we can to live a holy life, but how is that defined? Is it by serving religion, or serving God? Is it by abiding in rules or in Christ? Perfection will always elude us, but Christ will not. Religion will always fail us, but Christ will not. Rules will always fail to save us, but Jesus will not. Be eager for Jesus.