Category Faith

What doth hinder you?

The Preacher Leave a comment

In Acts 8, the Ethiopian Eunich asked, “….what doth hinder me to be baptized?” [Acts 8:36] This is the question that needs to be answered, what hinders you?

As I was reading Mark, this passage caused me to pause, ”That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.” [Mr 4:12] It caused me to think about people that are blinded to the truth….

  • No one is so blind….
    • As one who WILL NOT SEE.
  • No one is so Deaf….
    • As one who WILL NOT HEAR.
  • No one is so illiterate….
    • As one who WILL NOT READ. [Eph 3:4]
  • No one is so ignorant….
    • As one who WILL NOT STUDY. [2Ti 2:15]

I once met a man convinced that salvation was by faith only. He actually was passing out material declaring the same. I asked him questions, noting that his material lacked scriptural support for what he was teaching. He said, “That’s odd, there should be some scriptures for this.”

I told him that I agreed, and asked, after much discussion, if he’d like to see the only passage in the entirety of scripture that says, “By faith only” in that sequence. What he said next shocked me, “No, I’m ok.” He then took his Bible, which I had opened to the very passage, closed it and stuck it into his pocket.

It is a sad day when a person claiming to be a child of God closes the Bible on truth. So, what doth hinder you from being baptized?

  • Me? – No, I’ll not stand in your way.
  • The church? – No, your denomination may, but the church of the Bible will never.
  • Law? – No, there’s nothing in the Law of Christ, [Ro 8:2] that will hinder you, it teaches it.
  • God? – No, He’s not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. [2Pe 3:9]

So who is it? It’s YOU! Only you stand in the way of salvation. Oh yeah, do you want to know the only time “…by faith only” is used in Scripture?

Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. [Jas 2:24]

Why is there evil in the world?

The Preacher Leave a comment

While sitting in my office here in Borger Texas, I was pondering this very question. So of course, being the tech savvy person that I am, I went to ask Google. That’s where I found this little video.


Of course Ravi is just a man. What we should really do is consult the word of God, over that of google.

The reason there’s evil in the world is because God gave us the right to choose. In Genesis, God had created man and gave him free will, which is the basis for the ability to choose.

“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” –Ge 2:16

As we know from the rest of the story, that man chose to disobey God. We see this same thing throughout all of history and today. Mankind has the ability to choose. Sometimes that make bad choices. Sometimes they make good ones. When they make bad choices, usually through selfish ambitions, evil soon follows.

We choose to eat poorly, we get sick. We choose to get drunk, someone may die. We choose to brag and boast, someone’s feelings get hurt. We choose to have power over others……..

The list is endless. But as Ravi reasoned, in order to consider something evil, you have to have a sense of what is good. This assumes a moral law to differentiate between the two. If there is a moral law, you must posit a moral law giver, and we call Him God. I believe this moral law giver to be the God of the Bible. Based on the overwhelming evidence, both internal and external, I believe.

I hope you will too.

 

spencer

God has 3 No’s

The Preacher Leave a comment

When a person says things like, God must have a reason for this tragedy, or He’s got a plan for me (spoken in the midst of all sorts of trouble) I want you to be ready to point out something about God, his no’s.

The trouble stems from a misapplication of ……..Ro 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

They believe that God causes tragedy in order to fulfill His purpose. I think we blame God too much. When we blame Him, it seems we are accusing Him of unfairness, or some prejudice. Does it seem fair to you when one person loses a child and another doesn’t? If you begin to think that God is unfair, or unjust, I want you to turn to this passage……..

2Ch 19:6 And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment. (7) Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts. (Bribes) <righteous De 10:17-18> <respect of persons Job 34:19; Eph 6:9; Col 3:25>

Let’s go back to Rom 8:28, what does it say?

  • All things work together for good –salvation, see the rest.
  • to them that love God – If you love me, keep my commandments (Joh 14:15; Heb 5:9)
  • to them who are the called –
    • God calls us through the gospel – 2Th 2:14
    •  The gospel of Christ concerning His death, burial and resurrection – 1Co 15:1-4
    • This gospel contains commands that must be obeyed – cf. 2 Th 1:8; 1Pe 4:17
      • The command to believe in Jesus – Jn 8:24
      • The command to repent of sins – Ac 17:30-31
      •  The command to confess Jesus as Lord – Ro 10:9-10
      •  The command to be baptized – Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15-16; Ac 2:38; 22:16
  • According to His purpose – Mrk 1:38 purpose to preach; to be sacrificed Joh 12:27; to destroy the work of Satan 1Jo 3:8; 2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

God wants all of us to be saved. He wants us to go to heaven. He wants us to be reconciled to Him.

When you’re facing trouble, feeling low, thinking that life is just too hard and unfair…….Remember this about God…..

He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth
and without iniquity, just and right is he. De 32:4

7 steps for a better faith

The Preacher Leave a comment

In Lu 17:5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. What a great desire, to have an increased faith. But….

How do you increase your faith?

If we study our Bibles, we can find a scripture that could help us;(2Pet 1:1-11; 5 And beside this, giving all diligence,) What is diligence? The definition is; constant in effort to accomplish something; attentive and persistent in doing anything.

The biblical definition of the Greek word is quite similar;  spoo-day’  “speed”, i.e. (by implication) despatch, eagerness, earnestness:–business, (earnest) care(-fulness), diligence, forwardness, haste.

As we continue to study (2Pet 1:1-11), we find this list……

ADD TO YOUR FAITH…..

***note*** I will include the Greek word after the English word along with it’s definition from WE Vines.

  1. virtue; <arete> “whatever obtains superior evaluation for a person or thing.” What do others think about you? Do you have a good report? (Phil 4:8) 1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: How do others see us?

  2. knowledge; <gnosis> a seeking to know, investigation. Lu 1:77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, Php 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, ( Hos 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: 2Chron 1:10 Solomon’s request for wisdom.)

  3. temperance; <egkrateia> self control. Ac 24:25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, (Self Control follows righteousness which is God’s claim, so self control is our response) Gal 5:23 against such is no law. Following knowledge, the point is to put our learning into action.

  4. patience;< hupomone> perseverance. Patience which grows only in trials.  “By your patience possess your souls.” (Luke 21:19) ” And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; We can learn from the trials of others” (Rom 5:3); “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” (Ro 15:4 ); “Abraham endured. 1Th 1:2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, 3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,”(Heb 6:15 ); “Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.” (Jas 5:11 )

  5. Godliness; <eusebeia> Holiness. Contrast – “But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.”(1Ti 4:7 ); “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” (1Ti 4:8 ); “Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.”(1Ti 6:5 ); “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,” (2Pe 3:11)

  6. Brotherly kindness; <philadelphia> fraternal affection: “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;”(Ro 12:10 ); “But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.”(1Th 4:9 );  “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:”(1Pe 1:22)

  7. Charity / Love. <agape> A Sacrificial affection. Love can only be described by the action it prompts. “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.”(1Jo 4:7-9-13 ); “If you love me.…”(Joh 14:15)

2Pe 1:8 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.

Imagine how your faith would grow as you diligently add these to your existing faith! Take them one at a time, or work on them in a group, but whatever you do….

…..grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. (2Pe 3:18 )

Let’s go out and have a good day, for we know, only God can make our day!

The Faith Formula

The Preacher Leave a comment

The disciples of Christ asked Him to increase their faith. (Luke 17:5-10) His answer is very strange to me. First He tells them that true faith has no size, but then He teaches them about a servant that serves his master. At the end He says, “Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not.”

How does this increase our faith?

I looked into faith to learn more and found this passage about Moses in Heb 11:24-29

24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

As I read this passage, I noticed a formula of faith and it relates perfectly to our Luke passage. The faith formula is this……

F=(R+ C + E) – (F, F) + (S + K + P)

FAITH = (REFUSING + CHOOSING + ESTEEMING) – (FORSAKING, FEARING) + (SEEING + KEEPING + PASSING)

Using Moses as our example, let’s see how his story line is very similar to our own…….By faith, Moses……

Refused to be called son of the devil?
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. (Joh 8:44)
He that committeth sin is of the devil;(1Jo 3:8)
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”( Joh 10:27)

Choosing to suffer for a time than enjoy the passing pleasures of sin?
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,(2Co 4:17)

Esteeming the reproach of Christ as greater riches. The reproach that Christ had to bear in his own person and also in the person of every true believer.
Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.(2Co 11:23)
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; (2Ti 1:8)

Forsaking our lives of ease and waste. Not Fearing the culture around us
the popular opinions.
In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.(1Pe 4:4)

Seeing Jesus, with our eyes of faith. Knowing that He will come to get us.
Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”(Joh 20:29)

Keeping the faith
But without faith it is impossible to please Him.(Heb 11:6)
“For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”(Ac 4:20)

Passing through the trials set before us
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;(1Pe 4:12)
Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.(2Ti 2:10)

Do you see how this can help you endure, can increase your faith? Let me say it this way……

Is your faith low? Is your faith weak? Are you sad? Is your faith in man gone? Then let the formula of faith help you…

Serve God
Refuse sin
Choose Christ
Esteem Christ
Forsake this world
Fear God
Look to Christ
Keep the faith
Pass through this life and Endure til the end

Let’s remember one more thing about Moses…….
…having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.(Heb 11:39-40)

spencer

Borger, Tx
806/274-5021
Ask me how to make your calling and election sure. 2Pet 1:10

  

I’m unworthy to serve

The Preacher Leave a comment

What do you do, as a Christian, when your life is a shambles?

We attempt to disappear, becoming invisible. By becoming less involved.
We feel we’re unqualified to serve, assist, give aid because we have been such a failure.
We feel we’re unqualified to evangelize. Why would anyone believe us since we’ve failed in so many ways?
The worst is we feel so dejected, thinking our lives should be better now that we’re saved. We begin to think and act as if saying, “What’s the point?”

Is that you? Don’t be shy, because many times it’s me also!

So what is a Christian to do when it seems that nothing is working?
  • We can look at Moses….
    • losing the ability to enter the Promised land, pleading to go in. De 1:37; 3:23-29;
    • yet at the transfiguration of Jesus, Mt 17:3-4
  • We can look at Joshua….
    • He and Caleb had to endure 40 years of wandering also, Nu 32:13,
    • yet entering the promised land to lead the people of Israel to serve God. Nu 27:18-23
  • We can look at David….
    • Committed adultery with Bathsheba, lied, caused another to get drunk, conspired to murder; 2Sam 11
    • yet still called, “..a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.” Ac 13:22
  • We can look at Elijah….
    • requested that he might die; and said, “It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life;” 1Ki 19:4
    • yet continuing on passing his mantle to Elisha 2Ki 2:1
  • We can look at Paul….
    • made havoc of the church, Acts 8, persecuting, death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. Ac 22:4
    • yet becoming a great evangelist and Apostle, writing 13 books of our New Testament.
  • We can look at Peter….
    • Denier of Christ, cursing & swearing, Mark 14:70,71
    • yet a preacher of the gospel, preaching in spite of imprisonment, Acts 2 & 4

How sad it is that we fail to serve fully because we feel so unworthy, being so imperfect in our lives. I’ve got news for you, we are all unworthy! (Lu 17:10 We are unprofitable servants)

The reality is this, we are BETTER servants because of our failures. We are able to identify, have compassion and empathize with one another. As humans together, we can sympathize with one another, facing the same trials as everyone else.

Paul himself had a major “thorn in the flesh” that he pleaded with the Lord three times to have removed. Look at what the Lord said to him……

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2Co 12:9

Paul’s response gives us even further encouragement…..

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 2Co 12:10

Let us serve in spite of our troubles. Through Christ, our weakness gives us strength. So let me give you a little PEP talk……(inspired from a talk given by Scott Futrell)

  1. Pray – ask God for strength, boldness, help. In 1Co 10:13, it says; There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
  2. Engage – get involved, become a servant of God despite your sorrows and your pains. An incredible thing will happen, you will get strength. From God, from other members, and you just may be able to help someone else. Mt 19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
  3. Persevere – stick with it. Remain faithful, for a reward awaits you at the end of this life when the Lord comes to receive His own. Re 2:10 …be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Jas 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

One more thing, we have a sympathetic Savior…..

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Heb 4:15, 16

spencer
Borger, Tx
806/274-5021
Ask me how to make your calling and election sure. 2Pet 1:10

  

To whom will we compare God?

The Preacher Leave a comment

There are gems throughout the bible that we fail to notice. One such gem is found in Isaiah 40. This chapter should be a great chapter of comfort to all of us.

Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. – 1-8

In the opening verses we find words of comfort to an exiled people. “her iniquity is pardoned:”. Vs 5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. In 7-8, though flesh be weak and failing as the grass withers, the word of the Lord shall stand forever.

Faithfulness of God – 9-11

In this section we hear of the coming of the Lord GOD, with a strong hand, strong arm and His reward with with Him. Therefore we should declare it from a HIGH mountain. As a shepherd feeds his flock, He shall gather his lambs with his arm and carry them in his bosom.

It reminds me of the words in the New Testament about Christ;

  • Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Heb 13:20

  • And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 1Pe 5:4

  • I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. Joh 10:11

THE SIZE OF GOD – 12-17

Continuing the comforting words, Isaiah uses the only words he can to describe the size and power of God. Vs 12 has the waters contained in the hollow of HIS hand, able to measure out the heavens with the span of HIS hand. HE is able to measure, weigh the earth, mountains and hills in a balance.

13 & 14 asks Who teaches God? Who is HIS counselor? Who showed HIM the way? The answers are in the asking, no one. God is self existent, all knowing and all powerful.

  • Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; 1Co 1:25

Demonstrating HIS might, the author argues turns to the leaders and nations of the earth. Vs 15 calls them a drop in the bucket and as dust. In vs 16, if you were to gather all the cattle together in one place, it would fail as a sacrifice.

I live in Texas, we have a bunch of cattle. If we were to off it all to HIM, it would be insufficient.

COMPARE GOD TO WHAT!? – 18-20

Still more words of comfort in an almighty GOD, we are asked to discover a comparable being as HE. In vs 18 we find folks making images of gold & wood to which they bow themselves in worship. Laughable. They take a created thing and worship a nothing. GOD alone saves.

Have you not known. – 21-26

In this section we see the description of HIM sitting on the circle of the earth. The heavens as a tent. HE brings the princes (leaders) to nothing and makes the judges of the earth as vanity (a waste of time).

In vs 26 we see that GOD not only numbers the stars of heaven, but NAMES them. Comforting words which lead us to the final section……

Who can be hidden from God? 27-31

Many folks wonder if God even notices them. Look again at vs 26, HE sees all. As we continue to read these comforting words, GOD is everlasting, the creator and HE never faints or grows weary. We faint, vs 30 says that our strongest people grow weak, but GOD, HE gives power to the weak. HE will carry us through.

Vs 31 however, describes the conditions. They that wait upon the LORD. This is more than just hanging out, looking for HIS return. No, it’s about serving HIM. Only those that are serving HIM shall receive the eagles wings, able to run without becoming weary, able to walk without fainting.

  • Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. Ps 37:34

  • If ye love me, keep my commandments. Joh 14:15

 

 

spencer
Borger, Tx
806/274-5021
Ask me how to make your calling and election sure. 2Pet 1:10

The faith of Abraham

The Preacher Leave a comment

 

The scriptures say, “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” Ro 4:3

Have you ever wondered what it was about Abraham to receive such praise? I have, so I looked into the Bible to see about this wonderful man. As I studied his life, I came across the story of God’s demand of Abraham…..

And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. 2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. 3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. Gen 22:1 KJV

You’ve heard the story before, but perhaps you have yet to notice one little part. It’s found in vs 3, after God commands him to take his only son and offer him as a burnt offering it says, “And Abraham ROSE UP EARLY..”

HE ROSE UP EARLY….

I have no idea about you, but ME, would I get up early to go and sacrifice my only son. I have 3 sons, would I rise early to sacrifice any of them? Abraham did. I wonder how well he actually slept that night. Was he worried, was he afraid, did he have any doubts?

To find the answer, we need to continue to study our bibles. As we do a word search, we would find this scripture;

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 8 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. Heb 11:17 KJV

I believe that Abraham had no worries, no doubt, no tossing and turning that night. He had non of these troubles because he knew, “…that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead;” NOW THAT’S FAITH!

He believed God, and then ROSE EARLY. I have a question; Would he have gotten the label as a man of faith had he failed to take Isaac to that mountain? Consider this verse and tell me if it has any bearing on the answer…

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, WHEN he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. Jas 2:17

I emphasized one of the words in that passage to point it out to you, WHEN. Abraham was justified WHEN he had offered Isaac. Abraham was fully convinced that God was able to do what He promised, just as he was fully convinced in Gen 15. (Rom 4:21) Are we in any different a position? We’re told to have faith, Heb 11:6, but how do we know that we have a faith like Abraham?

WHEN we do whatever God says.

  • Lu 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
  • Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
  • Joh 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

 

spencer

Borger, Tx
806/274-5021
Ask me how to make your calling and election sure. 2Pet 1:10