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But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things. (2 Peter 1:9-15)

Pastor Michael noted the dissonance between our assumptions and reality. \xa0We assume the Christian life is built on what we do. \xa0But in fact, it is built instead on the \u201ceverything\u201d from God we have received. \xa0

Verses like the one from today\u2019s text about \u201cmaking your calling and election sure,\u201d says exactly what we often think. \xa0We\u2019ve got to put in the effort or else we won\u2019t get into the eternal kingdom of our Lord! \xa0But that\u2019s not quite what Peter says, nor how our Reformed tradition has understood it. \xa0

In Q&A 86 of the Heidelberg Catechism, the question is asked why we still have to do good works if Jesus has already done everything necessary for salvation for us. \xa0One of the four answers to that question refers to this passage and says \u201cso that we may be assured of our faith by its fruits,\u201d which is part of Christ \u201crestoring us by his Spirit into his image.\u201d \xa0In other words, as the Canons later make clear: we can indeed lose our assurance of salvation when there\u2019s no good fruit in our lives to show for it, but we cannot lose the thing itself. \xa0God\u2019s sovereign choosing in his calling and his election are sure.

That said\u2014the Catechism and the Canons say right along with Peter that we must still do good works. \xa0Or said better\u2014that we get to do good works because of all the good Jesus has done for us. \xa0This is the whole thrust of the Gospel, that the power of God is at work transforming us to become like Jesus in all the virtues we\u2019ve discussed. \xa0God has acted, and we get to respond! \xa0God has given, and we get to receive! \xa0But precisely because none of it is \u201crequired\u201d in order to finish up our salvation\u2014we have to be continually reminded of what we\u2019ve received, lest we take the inheritance for granted and forget to act on it.

Remember, remember, remember. \xa0Peter drums away at the theme. \xa0Do not be one who becomes blind, \u201cforgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins\u201d (v.9). \xa0\u201cSo I will always remind you of these things even though you know them\u2026\u201d \u201cI think it right to refresh your memory\u2026.\u201d \u201cAnd I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things\u201d (vv. 12, 13, 15).

I am often struck by how much of our journey of following Jesus and becoming like him boils down to remembering. \xa0Rarely in the Old Testament are people defiantly idolatrous or disobedient. \xa0More often, they\u2019ve just forgotten their God and wandered off someplace else. \xa0Forgetfulness is the biggest problem. \xa0Like in Judges when generations keep rising up who \u201cknew not\u201d the things of old. \xa0Likewise remembering is the biggest gift\u2014like when the book of the law was found under the reign of Josiah, or when the law was read again after the exiles returned under Ezra. \xa0

Peter knows his scriptures. \xa0So he not only preaches his message in the opening verses of this letter\u2014but he tells it again, and promises to keep on doing it. \xa0A broken record that repeats the things we already know over and over is no sin, because knowing something in the deep ways of habit and muscle memory takes exactly this: time, attention, and repetition. \xa0So today, if you\u2019ve already forgotten the list of virtues to add to your faith\u2014go back and read it again. \xa0Start right at verse 1 and recall again what you already know: the \u201ceverything\u201d that God has given us to make his calling in our lives sure.

As you journey on, go with the blessing of God:

Grace and peace to you many times over as you deepen in your experience with God and Jesus, our Master. Grow in the grace and understanding of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ. Glory to the Master, now and forever! Amen! (2 Peter 1:2; 3:18 MSG).