Tough Minded About Heaven (Part 2)

(3.) We are to be tough-minded about our purpose.

2 Peter 3:14 (KJV) - Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

Two additional verses in 2 Peter contain the words, "be diligent."

2 Peter 1:5 (KJV) - And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

2 Peter 1:10 (KJV) - Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

Whenever something is repeatedly exhorted, it alerts us to sit up and pay attention to what is being said!

Is God calling you? Through the gifts which are severally given through the Holy Spirit, He makes our election and calling sure. Through the Holy Spirit's leading, we can match our lives for the thing through which we are called.

It is like God asks each and every one of us, 'I gave you a gift - what did you do with it?'

We all have our priorty lists. Don't put God at the bottom of that list!

Philippians 3:13-14 (KJV) -

13 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

14 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

Are you tough-minded in your purpose in life?

(4.) We are to be tough-minded about our profession.

2 Peter 3:17 (KJV) - Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know [these things] before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

Being "stedfast" in the faith requires not just being a "surface Christian."

[Christine: Do you know God's Word? Are you stedfast in your belief? Or, would the increasing amount of the world's "isms," new religions, and the attitude that "there's no such thing as demons...no one believes that anymore..." be waiting in the wings of your mind to hijack you away from genuine faith?]

Are you tough-minded about belief?

(5.) We are to be tough-minded about our progress.

2 Peter 3 is the chapter to read regarding examining our progress while here on earth as well as our preparedness for our future eternal home. In 2 Peter 3:18, the last thing that Peter says:

2 Peter 3:18 (KJV) - But grow in grace, and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him [be] glory both now and for ever. Amen.

We are to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. How do we accomplish this? By reading and studying His Word. When we diligently do this, we won't get carried away by any cult or new-age religion.

We will never be able to master the Bible - even if we live to age 100! But we can continually grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus!

Are you growing? Or, are you not growing? If not, then you are a perfect target for being caught up in wrong things!

[Christine: This is a fact. I have seen it hundreds of times. People who call themselves "Christian" yet they act no different than the pagan culture that surrounds us! Be forewarned!! If you are "friends with the world" (meaning, participating in the the sinful cultural habits of pagan people) then you are no friend of God! Jesus told us that, "no one can serve two masters, for he will either obey one and despise the other...!"]

We are to grow in Him all the way in glory!

How is your spiritual progress?

Just as we take great care of our physical being (eat well, exercise, breathe clean air, stay away from contaminents etc.) we must also be diligent to care for our spiritual being as well!

This spiritual growth comes through the will of God. We are to be sober, watchful and pray.

1 Peter 4:7 (KJV) - But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer

Do you only pray when you want to? (Been there, done that!) If so, then you will never do it! Be tough-minded about your prayer life!

[Christine: I once felt guilty about not going into a quiet "prayer room" to pray. Then I discovered that prayer is just talking with God as you would a best friend! You can pray anywhere, anytime, silently, while doing chores etc. He's always listening... We can follow the model of The Lords Prayer by first praising His Name, agreeing for His Will to be done, thankful for what He provides us, repentance of and requesting forgiveness for sin, and deliverance from evil. We can make our requests known to God and remember to thank Him for answered prayer. Finally, we can recognize Him again, for who He is and recognize His Coming Kingdom, His Infinite Power and Glory forever.]

Growth comes through the will of God! It's God will for you to grow!

Philippians 1:6 (KJV) - Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ:

Revelation 22:7 applies to the whole Bible!

Revelation 22:7 (KJV) - Behold, I come quickly: blessed [is] he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (KJV) -
23 Let us hold fast the profession of [our] faith without wavering; (for he [is] faithful that promised;)

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

What you believe about the future, determines how you live today.

Move away from this principle? You are in danger of drift!

Progress with the Lord and knowing His Word allows you the opportunity to receive rewards by bringing others with you. Not for your own glory...but FOR HIS GLORY!

There is a saying:

Aim at heaven - you get earth thrown in.
Aim at the earth - you get nothing.