August 20

Therefore, brothers, strive to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things you will never stumble, and you will receive a lavish reception into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. — 2 Pet 1:10-11 BSB

I believe many of God’s people, if not most, struggle greatly to “make their calling and election sure.” They are not the type to take things for granted; they cannot simply sit back and say, “I have no doubt that I am a child of God.” They need something powerful, something applied, something spoken by God Himself. Short of that, they will be exercised with doubts and fears regarding their standing before Him. Now, let your conscience speak; let us examine what the conscience reveals. What does this faithful witness say? Has God spoken with power to your soul? Has He pardoned your sins? Has He given you a sweet testimony of your saving interest in the Son of His love? You may say, “I’m not sure I can say all that; I don’t know if God has pardoned my sins.”

Well then, let’s come down to a simpler question. If you cannot say that, let’s take another step: Can you say that you are sighing, groaning, and crying out at times—not always, but as the Lord works in you—for the sweet manifestations of Jesus’ love to your soul? This opens a door for you—the door of hope in the valley of Achor. Can you enter through that door? These are signs of being one of God’s peculiar people. But even still, you cannot be satisfied without God Himself making it known to you. You need an immediate testimony from His own blessed mouth, and nothing less can satisfy your soul. When He sheds abroad His love in your heart, it brings peace and comfort, and nothing short of that will do.