Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2Peter 1:10,11
My wife accuses me of never reading directions. I wouldn't say never, but when it comes to Medicare - guilty as charged. I got Medicare four years before she did and when she got her booklet, she delved into it. She found out that I could have been receiving $400 of over the counter medicines free every year. I could have been receiving free gym memberships and gift cards for walking. I wouldn't have had to pay for my eye glasses and more. Yes my surgery and hospitalization was paid for and I was a card carrying member of Medicare but I was missing out on all the benefits by not knowing the book.
I'm sure you see the analogy here. Peter is saying that if we aren't reading God's word and our knowledge isn't increasing, yes, we will have salvation but all the abundance here on Earth and Heaven will be lacking. People talk about entering Heaven smelling like smoke as all your "wood hay and stubble" are burnt up as your good deeds are tested with fire and found wanting, and this is what Peter is trying to get at. If our knowledge of God's word increases and we apply it to our lives through the conviction and power of the indwelling spirit of God, we will bear fruit like eros and agape love and be effective and productive for the kingdom and experience the peace, hope, and joy of the abundant Christian life here on Earth.
This is what Jesus is talking about when He says, "I come that you might have abundant life." It's mistakenly translated as wealth but what He is talking about is being fruitful and experiencing the joy of a effective and productive life. And then getting a "standing ovation" welcoming you into Heaven someday. This is the life that is truly life!
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