The Conclusion…
For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:11).
Ladies and gentlemen…
We finally made it! You have completed the 2024 Summer Reading Challenge, and now you should be closer than ever to the great reward—also known as the Grand Entrance Celebration! Haven’t heard of the Grand Entrance Celebration? Hmm…well, I guess we need one last hurrah before we really bring the Summer Reading Challenge to an end. (But seeing as this is Saturday, and everyone probably has a lot going on, this will be short, I promise.)
So, remember waaaay back in week 2 when we talked about adding to your faith? Oh good, I’m glad! Well, do you recall what the Greek word for add is? That’s right! Epichoregeo (pronounced ep-ee-khor-ayg-eh'-o).
Why am I bringing up epichoregeo again on this most momentous of days?
Well, this last verse in our passage from 2 Peter 1 will give us a major clue. Ready?
“For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:11).
Do you see the connection yet? Well, probably not, but let’s take a closer look at one of the words in this passage: ministered. Wonder of wonders, this word ministered is the same Greek word used for add in verse 5—epichoregeo! Can you believe it?
Why is this so crazy? Well, all of the virtues we’ve been studying are framed by this word epichoregeo and by one other of our favorite words—that’s right, spoudazo! What does that mean, you ask? Well, if I were to write this section of Scripture out as Peter framed it, it would look like this:
Cool framing, isn’t it?! This is just like God. He’s so incredibly creative! He’s written and revealed His Word to us in so many ways. Why? So that everyone everywhere can catch a glimpse of His creative invitation to come to Him, love Him, and partner with Him. And this is done best when God’s children choreograph His character on the stage of life, inspiring and inviting others to join them—with spoudazo! Can you imagine what a privilege we have? Acting out God’s character and story on the stage of life—whooo hoo! I need to get my acting skills sharpened!—hmm…I need to practice that self-control a little more! I also need to be a bit more persevering…and more kind to my brother. *Sigh* I have a lot of practicing to do!
But guess what? If you practice hard and partner with God, He has an amazing reward waiting for you. Let’s read how Peter describes it,
“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence (spoudazo) to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered (epichoregeo) unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:10-11).
Do you see it?! For so an entrance shall be ministered (epichoregeo—choreographed) to you! On earth, we choreograph God’s character on the stage of life at our expense—at a great cost we grow in virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. But when God calls us home, we then enter a new stage of life, eternal life—at God’s expense! You may have heard of the phrase, “All expense paid vacation!” Well, when our time on this earth is finished, God has a Grand Entrance Celebration waiting for us!!! And God has paid it all—at an enormous expense—the death of his Son. Wait! Don’t get gloomy. God did this because he loves us so much, and that is why he has this Grand Entrance Celebration waiting for us! That’s why Peter writes:
“For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
This can also be translated as: “For so an entrance shall be choreographed at God’s expense, for you, richly abundantly, into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
My friends, since God has held nothing back for us, may we now hold nothing back for him! The summer isn’t over yet. There’s still time to read more books, be kind to your siblings, clean your room, wash those window, write those letters, and keep growing as you practice those seven virtues. Let’s finish strong!
I hope and pray that this summer has been profitable and that you may be able to say with the Apostle Paul:
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7,8).
To God be the glory both now and forevermore!
Let’s do this again,
Rainey
Psst! Don’t forget to turn in your activity sheets today by midnight (in your time zone)!
Don’t forget to tag us @lamplighterministries
to share with us how you and your family are completing the challenge!
