Garry spoke this morning from 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12, another of Paul’s prayers that God will make them ‘worthy of his calling.’ To be worthy of God’s calling means we must understand God calls us to repentance (Acts 17:29-31) so that we can experience the fulness of life He offers us. All who respond to God’s call are the elect (see Ezek 33:10-11); we can refuse God’s call if we choose to, but to do so would be harmful to us as God always wants what is best for us.
God is able to keep us (see Jude 1:24, Phil 1:6, 1 Pet 1:3-5) but our part is to continue in the faith (Col 1:22-23) and to cultivate faith, not unbelief, in our hearts. (Heb 3:12-14) We must not reject (push away) God’s grace and must strive to keep our love from going cold (Matt 24:12).
We are called to a fresh start (see Eph 2:1-10) and to a new relationship with God (John 1:12). We are called to a new life (Rom 6:5-7) and to hope (Eph 1:18). We are called to reign with God (2 Tim 2:11-12) and to a holy life. (2 Tim 1:9). To live like this is possible because God has made it possible. Now we are ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor 5:19-20), chosen so that we might be for the praise of God’s glory. (Eph 1:11-13) We are not on our own but can live a life worthy of His calling by following Him closely, showing what He has done and declaring to all what He can do.