Written by: John Sernaque
Call to Worship
2 Peter 1:10-11
1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
The Best Life Insurance—
[2 Peter 1:10, 11 quoted.] Here are your life-insurance papers. This is not an insurance policy the value of which some one else will receive after your death; it is a policy that assures you a life measuring with the life of God—even eternal life. O what an assurance! what a hope! Let us ever reveal to the world that we are seeking for a better country, even a heavenly. Heaven has been made for us, and we want a part in it. We cannot afford to allow anything to separate us from God and heaven. In this life we must be partakers of the divine nature. Brethren and sisters, you have only one life to live. O let it be a life of virtue, a life hid with Christ in God (The Review and Herald, May 26, 1904). {7BC 944.5} (See EGW comment on 1 John 3:1.)
Benefits Secured by the Elect—
It depends upon your course of action as to whether or not you will secure the benefits bestowed upon those who, as the elect of God, receive an eternal life-insurance policy (Manuscript 81, 1900). {7BC 944.6} 14, 15. See EGW comment on Acts 8:9-24. {7BC 944.7}
We all have choices in this life. One is whether we want to follow God or follow man. Peter urges us to make our calling and election sure. If we choose Christ Jesus, we will enjoy everlasting life in the heavenly kingdom. Choose other than Christ and you are choosing death. God gives all free will; God does not force anyone to love Him. No one is predestined to life or death; it will be ours by choice. We have only one life to live on this earth. If we are partakers of the divine nature, then heaven awaits us. Do not let the nay Sayers bully you or persuade you into letting go of your first true love. Do not allow anything or anyone to separate you from God and heaven. Trust and believe on God and He will free you from the bondage of sin and save you for an everlasting life in heaven. Live a life of virtue and when you are weary and heavy-laden, come unto God and He will give you rest. Call out to the Almighty and He will answer your prayers. Learn of God, what it is to love Him, because He loved you first. Let go and let God.
Dear God,
We come to the foot of Your throne in thanksgiving, praise, and prayer. We thank You for always being there for us when we come to You. For always listening to our cries for help when we are in trouble, or just to listen when we need a friend. We thank You for all of Your beautiful
creations and for creating us in Your own image. Thank You for giving us this life on earth. We thank You for Your Word to live by and for choosing to trade divinity for humanity to save us from sin that we may have life eternal with You in heaven. Thank You for giving us free will to choose You as Lord and Savior of our life here on earth. Thank You for returning to heaven and making the mansions that await us in life eternal. We praise You for Your wonderful works here on earth and in heaven. We praise and thank You for leaving us the Holy Spirit to comfort us when we need comforting, that we may also comfort those who are in need of comfort. When we are weary and heavy-laden, we are thankful that You will give us rest. We pray for all the brethren and sisters to live a life of virtue that they may enjoy the splendor of Your heavenly kingdom. We pray that nothing will separate us from You and heaven. Sin is what separates us and we all have sinned and come short of Your glory. Help us to overcome sin, as You also overcame, that we would sin no more. To choose life over death and make our calling and election sure. Give us hope to proclaim to the world that You are our Master, that heaven was made for us, and we want to be there with You. Praise be to You and Glory in Your name. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayers, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
