daily-devotionals

Reading: “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall; for an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly, into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”—2 Peter 1:10–11

The apostle says that an assurance of being a partaker of grace in this life becomes as sure and certain an evidence of being made a partaker of glory in another. The question then is, how do I ascertain, without a shadow of a doubt, the certainty of my calling and election? Will I look into the book of life to see my name there? That is impossible. The secret things belong unto the Lord our God. Is there nothing revealed on this important point in the scriptures of truth? Yes. The apostle was commissioned to tell the church that whom God the Father predestinated to be conformed to the image of His Son, “them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified” (Romans 8:29–30).

Hence it must plainly and undeniably follow, that where a soul can fully prove his having been called, his election is included in the discovery; for the one is the result and consequence of the other. If I see a stream of water flowing, there must be a source, though the fountain itself is out of sight. The fruit of any tree will of itself ascertain the nature and quality of the tree, whether the tree is seen or not. And if you possess clear and unquestionable tokens of being called by grace, in the true scriptural evidences, which the Holy Ghost has marked, your election will as plainly be implied. See then if this is your case.

If you have conviction of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment, and if you have been led by the Holy Ghost, to the view of Jesus, as the only One mighty to save and have come to Him with the awakened cry, “Lord, save, or I perish!” these are among the first and most striking testimonies of an effectual and saving call by grace. And therefore the diligence the apostle so strongly and affectionately recommends, is to look to the evidences daily and habitually to live in the enjoyment of them.  

Taken from The Poor Man’s Evening and Morning Portions by Rev. Robert Hawker, Works, Vol. 8; 1830. Edited by Aaron Dunlop for thinkgospel.com ©2013.