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Some Christians do not consider Israel among the elect of God. They say they are of the Old Covenant while the Gentiles are of the New Covenant. I say, granted, but what does God tell us about them, see Jer. 31:35-37. So, does Israel remain in sin forever, see John 8:33-36? Let us take a look at how Paul sees the nation Israel vis-à-vis the gentile-elect of God. According to Rom. 11:13-28, the Israelites are the original branches‒so to speak‒now note how he relates us to them “… provided you (wild olive shoot-gentiles) continue in His kindness...” having said that, does it seem we are more secure than they were? Take note of what Paul would say next: “... you also will be cut off…” see Rom.11:13-21
The New Covenant referred to in Heb. 8:8-12, was merely quoted from Jer. 31:31-36, a promise meant for Israel alone. Notice verse 36, and take a hold on yourself, see Isaiah 10:22-23‒‒the prophecy concerning them; quoted by Paul in Rom. 9:27, saying only a remnant of Israel will be saved.
On the other hand, the gentiles, appear to be mere attachments, outsiders brought in and adopted as sons of Israel, or legal emigrants if you will of the nation. (see Eph. 2:11-22) It says, and I quote from v.19, “...you (gentiles) are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens (saints) with God’s people (Israel) and members of God’s household...” hence Paul wrote in Rom. 11:20 “Do not be arrogant, but be afraid.”
So what can we say to all these, as an analogy I would say, the gentiles are of the same standing with Israel; God chose them to be His holy people (as in our case) as He promised to their forefathers, see Deut. 26:18-19, but being omniscient God that He is, He knew that they are stiffed necked people (Deut. 9:6). Hence, knew they will turn away from Him despite the covenant (Deut.29:12-15). Relatively in Deut. 31:16-18, God said this to Moses, and I quote “… these people will soon prostitute themselves to the foreign gods of the land they are entering…”
They were warned, but that did not stop them from doing it‒‒so it happened as He said it would. And they were taken away from the Land by the Assyrians to Assyria, and the Jews, the Babylonians took, whereby they remained in exile in Babylon for 70 years.
Now based on the above, did God induced them to sin against Him; or as the modern thinkers of the day put it in rationalization, hardwired them to be disobedient? Beware, my friends, saying so would slander the Lord your God, for is it not written (by Paul) that God and sin do not go together, see 1 Cor. 6:14,15. Neither does he tempt anyone to sin; it is written in James 1:
[13] When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;[14] but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and evil desire and enticed.
[15] Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.Because of all these, Paul wrote to admonish us to diligence against complacency, see 1 Cor. 10:6-12, as follows:
…6 These things took place as examples to keep us from craving evil things as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written: 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written: “The people sat down to eat and to drink, and got up to indulge in revelry.” 8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.… 9 We should not test Christ, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes. 10 And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel. 11 Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.… 12 {{{So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall.}}}
Confirm Your Calling and Election
3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to[a] his own glory and excellence,[b] 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. (2 Peter 1:3-4)On the other hand, the apostle Peter taught concerning the message above‒tradition tells us that he wrote this around 66 AD, This is in connection to the parable taught by Jesus written in the gospel according to Matthew (22:14) wherein He said:
"For many are called, but few are chosen.”
At the time of Peter's letter, there were various squabbling groups. Among the prominent were the legalistic Jews who promote the Mosaic Law, (Acts 15:5 & 21:20-21) and on the other side were anti-legalistic gentile believers who go as far as assuming "anything goes." Today we still have the same extremes in the faith. We call the legalist religionists on one end, and at the other are those hanging on the same line of thought as "anything goes... or "saved forever."
Hence, the whole message of the letter still applies where Peter calls for a return to the true gospel, reminding us how we should believe and behave.
This part of the letter, however, tackles the question, how one can make his or her "calling" and "election" sure. Continuing on the said passage, we read:
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities and {{{continue to grow in them,}}} they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But {{{whoever lacks these traits}}} is nearsighted to the point of blindness, having forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.On the foregoing, as we read on, Peter admonishes us:
10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more eager to make your {{{calling and election}}} sure. For if you {{{practice these things}}} you will never stumble, 11 and you will receive a lavish reception into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2Peter 1:10-11)For further reading, choose DOES HEBREWS 6 TEACH YOU CAN LOSE YOUR SALVATION from the posts on display below. (Tap... "See All")
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