There are a couple of ways to think about this word. There's the correct way, where you see it as it is. As meaning something akin to "substantiation". The word's root comes from the Latin res (long 'e'), meaning "thing". To "realize", make real. Same root, same idea.
Or—and I don't mean to confuse—you could play around a bit and place the emphasis on the next syllable. "Re-'if'-ication". That would be wrong and also just the opposite. To continue on with "ifs" ad infinitum is unwise. Maybe some reification is needed? That's the idea behind this statement of Peter's:
"Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall." (2 Peter 1:10)
This can and has been one of the hardest things for people to accept, who receive Jesus as Savior. The hard work of reifying their faith and as Peter says, their "calling and election". Yes, you accept Jesus and His invitation to be part of His Father's family. You realize that you're part of something that's bigger than you and that will last for eternity, never to change and as solid as He. And then, as Solomon put it very crassly in the book of Proverbs (26:11) "As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly." Sorry, but that's what it says, and that's exactly how some Christians act.
There's a difference between acting and being. And when Peter talks about our calling and election, he's talking about growing into that which was preordained for us. Now, after the timeless miracle of spiritual re-creation has taken place in us, it's time for us to begin living according to the way that Jesus laid out for us. And before I go any further, it's never about the things you do on the outside. It's always about the invisible actions of the heart, will and conscience that precede any actions that would be considered moral or "right".
"...for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall." Peter is referring to the list of things to "add to your faith" (2 Peter 1:4). Things like "virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity, love" (verses 5-8) Just pick any one of these and chew on it. If you'll notice, all of these things are qualities of the interior. All of our actions should spring from these nodes. Jesus' did. And when this doesn't happen, our "calling and election" is not made personal, not reified. For our lives as Christians, what endeavor is more important?
Predestination. A similar thing to a "calling" and an "election". That's just great. You walk around knowing that the God of the universe wants to have something to do with you. But where do you go from there? See, God revealed Himself in Jesus. To a degree, at least for the human being, He reified Himself. If that's confusing, work through it. After Jesus came and went, He left a template—as varied and as unique as we ourselves are—to which we can aspire. Get this: "It is enough for the disciple that he (and she) be as [their] master, and the servant as [their] lord..." (Matthew 10:25, emphasis mine)
Our "calling and election" begins and ends with Jesus. Our hearts are the same, it's our minds that need changing.
Make it personal.