Calling and Selection

As we near the advent of Thanksgiving, as today is Thanksgiving Eve, I am urged by what I perceive in my spirit is the movement of the Holy Spirit to ask my readers to all the more make their calling and selection sure. Yes, turkey and dressing is fine around this time of year, but what I believe is more important is to make sure that we are watching out for those who have less than us. There is no heavenly way that we can do this without making our calling and selection sure.

2 Peter 1:30-31(NIV) reminds us "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." The question is what things? Well lets dig a little deeper.

Peter had just shared a crucial piece of wisdom for believers: When you have faith, be good. When you are good, be knowledgeable. When you are knowledgeable, be self-disciplined. When you are self-disciplined, become tenacious. When you are tenacious, become godly. When you are godly, become warm-hearted toward each other. When you are warm-hearted, become a lover of people and of God! Come on somebody, this is a very exhaustively comprehensive request, yet it is doable!

Why did Peter continue to warn us that we should ensure we are called and chosen? The answer is simply, to require a journey from faith to love is next to impossible on its own merits, but to live and dwell in Christ makes for a fully satisfying, joy-filled experience and journey. When you stumble, which you, at some point in your lives will, no doubt experience, Jesus will be there to help you up. When you are weak, Jesus is strong.

My brothers and sisters, during this thanksgiving season and even on through Christmas, test you heart, and give it to Jesus. Make sure to choose his blood for your power, grace and mercy. Choose his presence as your constant and consistent companion who will lead you and guide you to all righteousness. Stay in the race and on the journey, fully dependent on and in Jesus and all that he is and represents. If you do what the Apostle Peter requested then i have the blessed assurance that someone somewhere will be blessed by you. Oh yes, You will make someone somewhere so thankful for your graciousness that they will be quick to give God the Glory and Praise. Wow! Someone might even, because of you, make their calling and selection sure.

May God Richly Bless You and Keep You this Christmas Season

Rev. Dr. William H. Bell, Jr.

Senior Pastor, Saint Mark CME Church