Introduction

‘Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.’ 2 Peter 1:10

Peter, the apostle temporarily concluded his discourse on adding the Christian graces as a way of confirming the Christian’s calling and election in the tenth and eleventh verses of the first chapter of his second letter. He pulled his teaching from verses 1 to 9 together by asserting that God’s children need to practice these qualities in order to maintain the much needed spiritual balance.

He says: ‘….for if you do these things (listed in verses 5 to 8), you will never stumble ……..’ In other words, you will be able to keep your spiritual balance.

Paul spoke about Hymenaeus and Alexander who suffered a shipwreck with regard to the faith because of their inability to hold on to faith and their rejection of a good conscience, 1 Timothy 1:18-20.

Paul reminded Timothy that he was involved in a battle and he needed to fight it well. Success in spiritual warfare requires being able to keep a good balance.

Peter reminds us in 1 Peter 5:8-9 that we should be alert and of sober mind because the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. We are not to run away from him, but to resist him by standing firm in the faith.

Paul did not fail to call the attention of the Ephesians to our struggle against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Like the Ephesians, we should be mindful of these things and be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power, putting on the full armour of God.

‘Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.’ Ephesians 6:10-18

Prayer

Almighty Father, we ask that You kindly help us to rely only on You as we face the challenges of this life. Please help us to keep You in the centre of our lives so that we can maintain a viable balance.