The doctrines of election and calling, foundational to reformed theology, often provoke profound reflection. Scripture presents God’s sovereign choice as unassailable, yet it simultaneously summons believers to a diligent response. Does divine election imply passivity on our part? The Word of God resoundingly declares otherwise.
Consider 2 Peter 1:10: “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall” (ESV). Peter addresses the redeemed, urging them to substantiate their divine summons and selection. This exhortation does not suggest that God’s eternal decree requires human effort to secure it; rather, it underscores that our assurance and diligence flow from a salvation already accomplished. God’s election remains steadfast, yet our lives must bear its evidence.
The Apostle Paul reinforces this in 2 Corinthians 13:5: “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” (ESV). Here, believers are called to scrutinize their hearts and conduct for the indwelling presence of Christ. This examination does not cast doubt upon God’s promise but affirms that genuine regeneration yields tangible fruit. Faith, when authentic, is active, not passive.
Such fruit is the inevitable outcome of divine calling. Regeneration, wrought by the Holy Spirit, transforms the soul, producing virtues enumerated by Peter: faith, godliness, love (2 Peter 1:5-7)—and by Paul: love, joy, peace (Galatians 5:22-23). As the Puritan John Owen wrote, “The fruits of holiness are the only infallible evidence of our interest in election and regeneration.” God’s election stands firm, yet our lives must manifest it. Not to earn salvation, but to demonstrate its reality.
This charge extends beyond personal assurance. A faith that works, evidenced in obedience and love, serves as a testimony to the watching world, proclaiming the transformative power of God’s grace. Peter and Paul do not advocate a dormant belief; they compel us to a vibrant, diligent faith—one that confirms our calling through action. Moreover, Paul clarifies the divine purpose in 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14, noting that God “chose you from the beginning to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth… so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Herein lies the ultimate purpose of our election: we are chosen and called not merely for deliverance, but for sanctification and participation in Christ’s glory.
Thus, to make our calling and election sure is to embrace a life of purposeful examination and godly fruitfulness, reflecting God’s unchanging work within us and fulfilling His intent that we share in the glory of His Son. How magnificent and staggering a truth this is for us, when we truly grasp its weight!
