One of the most common questions asked by a newly born-again believer is, “What comes next?”
The answer is both simple and challenging. Once your old self has died and you have been made a new creation in Christ, your journey is not finished—it has only begun. Salvation is not the finish line; it is the starting point of a transformed life.
Many people mistakenly believe that becoming a Christian means all struggles disappear. Scripture teaches the opposite. The moment you begin walking with Christ, you enter a spiritual battle. There will be obstacles, temptations, distractions, false teachers, and deceptive voices seeking to pull you away from the truth. Satan has no interest in those who are already walking toward destruction. His focus is often on those who have begun to follow Christ.
This is why the Apostle Peter gives believers such important instruction:
“His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” — 2 Peter 1:3-11 (KJV)
Notice that Peter does not tell us to earn our salvation. Salvation is a gift from God through faith in Jesus Christ. What he teaches is that we are to confirm our calling and election by growing in the qualities that naturally flow from a life surrendered to Christ.
Faith is the foundation, but it is not meant to remain alone. Peter tells us to add virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. These are the fruits of a life that is being transformed by the Holy Spirit.
A healthy tree produces healthy fruit. Likewise, a believer who is truly abiding in Christ will begin to display evidence of God’s work in their life. Not perfectly. Not instantly. But progressively.
The Christian life is not about standing still. It is about growing. The question is not whether you occasionally stumble. Every believer does. The question is whether you are moving closer to Christ or drifting further away from Him.
The world will tell you to follow your heart. God tells you to follow Christ.
The world will tell you that truth is relative. God tells us that His Word is truth.
The world will tell you to trust yourself. Scripture teaches us to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Jesus.
As we mature in faith, our confidence should not come from our own goodness, achievements, or religious activity. Our confidence comes from seeing God’s transforming work in our lives. The more we pursue Christ, the more we see evidence that He has truly changed us.
This is what it means to confirm your calling and election. It is not about living in fear and wondering if you are saved. It is about examining your life and seeing the fingerprints of God upon it. It is about growing in holiness, walking in obedience, loving others, and remaining steadfast in the truth.
The believer who diligently pursues these things will not be perfect, but they will be productive. They will not be sinless, but they will be growing. They will not be without struggles, but they will be anchored in Christ.
God has given us everything we need for life and godliness. The question is not whether He has equipped us. The question is whether we are willing to walk the path He has set before us.
💭 Reflection
Take a moment to examine your life honestly.
Are you growing in faith, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness, and love?
Do you see evidence that God is transforming you into the image of Christ?
Are you pursuing Christ daily, or have you become comfortable standing still?
The goal is not perfection. The goal is progress. A genuine relationship with Christ will always produce growth.
🙏 Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for saving me and making me a new creation in Christ. Thank You for giving me everything I need for life and godliness through Your Son. Help me to grow in faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness, and love.
Protect me from false teachings and from the distractions of this world. Keep my eyes fixed on Jesus and strengthen me to walk faithfully each day. Let my life bear fruit that brings glory to You and serves as evidence of Your transforming power.
Help me to make my calling and election sure by remaining steadfast in Your truth and obedient to Your Word. May I never rely on my own strength, but always trust in Your grace.
In the mighty name of Jesus Christ,
Amen.
IN Christ
Jeffrey Trester
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