We’ve discussed the Second Comforter, and that man can receive a promise of eternal life from the Savior. But just because you have the promise of eternal life doesn’t mean you’ve received it.
It’s like ordering your favorite pizza and knowing it’s on its way, but until that delicious pie is in your hands, you haven’t truly experienced its cheesy, saucy goodness.
When you make your calling and election sure, you’re not just clutching the promise; you’re embracing the reality of it. It’s receiving the “more sure word of Prophecy,” which is the absolute certainty that you’ve received the fullness of the blessings of Christ’s atonement.
This concept is alluded to in the temple ordinances. Promised blessings are spoken and pronounced, but it’s made clear that you haven’t received them yet. Your faithfulness is the key to eventually having them actively sealed upon you.
The Transfiguration Connection
To get a better grasp of this idea, let’s draw a parallel to the Mount of Transfiguration. When Christ entered into the presence of the Father, the veil was thinned, allowing a glimpse of divinity. Peter, James, and John were there to witness the event, receiving remarkable manifestations and even hearing the voice of the Father.
However, Peter, in his second epistle, emphasized that the experience on the Mount of Transfiguration wasn’t sufficient to seal his calling and election in. It was more than hearing the voice of the Father; there was an additional step to be taken. It’s not merely receiving a promise but ensuring that it’s fully effectualized in your life.
This point is similar to the teachings of Joseph Smith, who encouraged us “to give diligence to make our calling and election sure.” The promise puts us on a path to actively seeking it, rather than leaving it to chance.
The Importance of Christ-Like Attributes
The process of making your calling and election sure isn’t about checking items off a list; it’s about developing Christ-like attributes. Peter, in his teachings, highlighted the importance of virtues like faith, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity. These attributes naturally develop as you progress in your spiritual journey.
What’s essential is that your heart is in the right place. It’s not about performing tasks out of coercion, but about genuinely desiring to acquire these godly attributes. You need to be on the path where your heart seeks after these qualities.
Making your calling and election sure isn’t a linear journey. It’s more like a roller coaster of receiving knowledge, experiencing tests, and overcoming challenges. It’s the process of falling, repenting, growing, and falling again. This cycle of progression ultimately leads you to the presence of the Father.
Just as Jesus Christ demonstrated, man can achieve the fullness with His help. Through the process of living, receiving more, testing, and growth, you can attain this spiritual milestone. Remember, it’s not about achieving it quickly; it’s about staying true and faithful on the path.
Christ’s mission on Earth was to show us the way and establish the pattern for our return to the Father. He restored the fullness of the Gospel and provided the keys and authority needed to access the blessings of the Father. It’s through the unity of these elements that you can unlock all the spiritual treasures that await you.
Conclusion
Making your calling and election sure is a deeply personal and spiritual journey. It’s a process of continuous growth and transformation, marked by a burning desire to develop Christ-like attributes and remain faithful on the path. As you navigate the roller coaster of spiritual growth, you’ll inch closer to the fullness of the blessings the Father has in store for you.
It’s not about how quickly you get there, but the journey you take to become the person who can receive all that the Father has prepared. Stay diligent, stay faithful, and keep seeking after that more sure word of Prophecy. It’s a journey worth taking.