2 Peter 1:10 KJV
[10] “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:”
The word “diligent” conveys the idea of zeal and haste. It means that we must exert ourselves and make an effort. This verse alone disproves Calvinism in regard to election. You see, if election includes no exercise of human intellect, emotions, and will, then why did Peter tell the brethren to give diligence to make your calling and election sure? We are not robots in which God works in and through as if we had no will whatsoever.
The answer is actually quite simple. Election is according to foreknowledge, which is according to God’s omniscience. The sovereign choices of God in foreordination, election, and predestination are based on His omniscient knowledge of possible choices and events. Some events are divinely caused, while others are divinely permitted. God foreknew the ways all men would react to the various circumstances in life. He permits them as part of His eternal plan. However, everyone is responsible and held accountable for their own behavior.
Peter is encouraging the brethren to give diligence to make their calling and election sure for two reasons. First, it will enlighten someone who has made a profession but has no possession. Peter takes for granted that they are all in the family because he calls them brethren. But it is up to every individual to seek the Lord and make his calling and election sure. No one can give assurance except the Holy Spirit, who knows every man’s spiritual state and will reveal it to those who seek Him.
Secondly, it brings assurance to the believer when he gives diligence to this matter. Peter is obviously not talking about falling from grace, but about stumbling in the Christian faith. This is why every believer must be responsible for adding to their faith. What does faith bring into our lives? It brings assurance and stability. This comes by diligently walking with the Lord. The Lord is not demanding sinless perfection from His children; however, He does command us not to sin. He knows that we will come up short in regard to sin, so He has given us an Advocate to allow cleansing and forgiveness when we fail. What does He demand from us then? He demands that we be diligent in our faith.