Your Faith Strengthens You

"Your Faith Strengthens You" - 2 Peter 1:10 Faith has led me to consolidate my life. It has given me firmness and solidity. Faith has led me to gather, to put back together what had previously been lost, broken or ruptured, in such a way that it has made everything firm in my life.

I. (2 Peter 1:10) Wherefore, brethren, be all the more eager to make sure.

A. Your vocation: inspiration with which God calls.

1. It is a call that God makes heard to the man whom He has chosen and to whom He destines to a particular work in His plan (purpose, project) of salvation and the destiny of His people.

2. (Ephesians 4:1) He is urged (hastened) to "walk" as is worthy of his calling.

3. The position to which grace has elevated us has been the dominant theme so far.

4. From now on it will be the relationship, the action of professing when applying knowledge, in order to improve in the discipline that is practiced in this case the consolidation, that "faith" that leads me to ruins (sin of my evils, hatred, etc.) and return what had been lost in the world, but now I have firmness and solidity.

5. "Our exalted position in Christ demands 'a' corresponding godly conduct."

6. (2 Peter 1:10) Confirm (prove it to be true) your "calling and election."

7. These are two facets of God's plan for salvation.

8. The "election" to His sovereign and eternal salvation of individual persons to belong to Him.

9. Calling has reference to His action (work, act) "in time" by which selection (preference) is made evident.

10. Our "selection" took place before the world was created; Our "calling" takes place when we are converted. Firmness, security and solidity.

11. Chronologically, the election comes first and then the calling.

12. Faith "strengthens" me (Isaiah 41:10).

13. What can be feared by going hand in hand with God?

14. Even if their enemies now appear fearful, the day will come when God calls them to account.

15. There are those who are angry with God's people and contend with them and make war on them, because they hate them (Isaiah 41:12).

16. The object of these verses is to quiet the fears and encourage the faith of God's servants in their afflictions.

17. It is against God to intend His people to be a fearful people.

18. They have to depend on His presence among them as their God.

19. This is repeated continually in this portion: I am with you... I am your God, I give you strength, I will help you and I will always uphold you with the right hand of My justice.

20. "Do not be afraid", because I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God who makes you strong; I will always help you, I will always uphold you with the right hand of My righteousness.

21. Firmness is constancy, the moral strength of those who "do not allow themselves to be dominated or beaten."

22. You are or you are not stable or steadfast.

23. Physical firmness, emotional firmness and mental firmness.

24. (1 Corinthians 16:13) "Stand constantly 'steadfast' in the faith."

25. Behave "manly" and be "strong".

26. Perhaps Paul is thinking of the danger of false teachers.

27. The saints are to always be on guard.

28. They must not give up even the smallest piece of vital territory (life).

29. They must behave with real courage.

30. They are to be strong "in the Lord."

31. "All those things" that you do, you must do "with love."

32. This will mean lives of devotion to God and to others.

33. It will mean that they will give themselves.

34. (1 Corinthians 15:58) Thus in view of the assurance (certainty, evidence) of the resurrection and the fact that faith in Christ "is not in vain," the Apostle Paul exhorts his beloved brethren to be "steadfast" and "constant," abounding (he has in great quantity) "in the work of the Lord always, knowing that their labor in the Lord is not in vain."

35. The truth of the resurrection changes everything.

36. It gives hope and "firmness" and enables us to continue in the face of difficult circumstances.

37. (Psalm 4:8) "Assured" of the Lord's total sufficiency, the agitation within the psalmist is appeased.

38. Now he can lie down in peace and sleep, "knowing that it is Jehovah who makes him "live in confidence."

39. (Psalm 27:3) Whom shall I fear?

40. (John 18:5-9) John tells us how the band that came to arrest Jesus in Gethsemane consisted of "a group of soldiers," several "officers" of the "high priest", and "numerous Pharisees."

41. They came with lanterns, with torches, and with weapons (John 18:3).

42. Seeing them approaching, He could say with "perfect composure: (firmness, strength, toughness) "Though an army encamp against me, my heart will not fear; Though war be raised against me, I will be confident."

43. Poor Peter tried to defend his Master and cut off the ear of the high priest's servant.

44. But Jesus said to Peter, "Shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?" (John 18:11).

45. His only desire was to dwell with God, and since the path to glory had to go through the cross, He was willing to suffer "pain and shame."

46. There is something unconquerable about people who seek: "one thing."

47. They know what they want and are determined to get it.

48. Nothing can stop them. Amen