2 Peter 3:13-14 (NIV) But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

Without a doubt, the Word of God is very clear about the fact that salvation is a free gift from God (Ephesians 2:8). We cannot work for our salvation. God, in His infinite mercy, came to rescue us by coming to this earth to pay the price that we couldn’t afford for our salvation. There was no way for us to cleanse ourselves from the sins that we had committed before we came to know Jesus as our Lord and Savior. So Jesus came and paid the price that we couldn’t pay and gave us the fruit of righteousness (Philippians 1:11).

So what is our part in salvation, if any? Do we just receive it, say thank you, and go on our way? Is there anything that we need to do from here? The scripture passage above tells us what we need to do. It says that we must “make every effort” to be spotless and blameless. How in the world do we do that? What does that effort look like? If I make that effort, isn’t that like working for my salvation? The answer is no, it’s not. Like I said before, you can’t work for your salvation. But you can make every effort to live the right way and the only way that you will be able to do that is to stay connected to Jesus at all times. The effort that we make is not in trying to be better people or in turning over a new leaf. It’s not in trying harder. It’s simply in making the effort to not separate from Jesus...ever. If you do that then you will be living the words of Jesus found in John 15:5. That verse says that if you remain in Jesus, He will remain in you and you will bear much fruit. Obviously, we don’t have to wonder about Jesus fulfilling His Word. Where the connection can be faulty is with us. That’s where we can make “every effort.”

How do we make every effort to remain connected to Jesus at all times? It’s through praying without ceasing, or in other words, maintaining an attitude of connection with Jesus throughout the day. Since His Spirit lives in you, you can communicate with Him throughout the day besides that special time that you reserve for Him in your daily devotional time. It’s also through remaining in His Word. That means that you not only read the Word every day but that you think about it throughout your day and apply it when situations and circumstances come up. In addition to this, you remain connected to Jesus by making sure to stay connected to His Body, the Church. Wherever the Body is, you will find the Head. Jesus is the Head of the Church (Colossians 1:18). Your church community is vital in keeping you accountable in making every effort to live a holy life. So how about it? Do your part in making every effort so that you can look forward to the new heaven and the new earth that is coming for us to enjoy. Your part is simply clinging to Jesus! He will do the rest.

Pastor Joey Vazquez