Second Peter 3:18 tells us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ” , but have you ever wondered what that means exactly, and how one can grow in grace? Is it our responsibility, God's or both of ours?
Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us that we are saved by grace through faith, and this is not our doing, but it is a gift from God and we mature and are sanctified by grace alone. We know that grace is defined as "unmerited favor", and is a
blessing that we don’t deserve. It is God, through His grace that justifies us, sanctifies
us, and eventually will glorify us in heaven. This sanctification process, (becoming more and more like Christ), is actually synonymous with growing in grace.
Therefore to grow in grace actually means to mature as a Christian.
We grow in grace by reading God’s Word and letting it “dwell in us richly” (Colossians 3:16) , for Peter also mentions growing in "knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ", and also by praying and communicating with God, our Father and our Lord, Jesus Christ.
But through all I've studied I've come to understand that these actions alone won't mature us, but God will use these spiritual disciplines to
help us grow.
For He has promised to "conform us into the likeness of His Son." (Romans 8:29). He's promised that He will help us accomplish all He has called us to do. (1 Thes. 5:24) And Philippians tells us, "For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure."
Therefore, maturing in our Christian faith is not so much about what we
do, but about what God is able to do in us by His grace.
And It's also important to note it's not about gaining more grace from God, for His grace never increases;
it is already infinite, but we do need to seek Him and trust Him for it, for grace will be the attribute of God that will enables us to break free of our sinful nature and
follow Him. It will give us strength and protect us from the evil one.
I liked what John Gill's Commentary had to say on 2 Peter 3:18: In the gifts of grace, which, under a divine blessing, may be increased by using them: gifts neglected decrease, but stirred up and used, are improved and increase... There is such a thing as growth in grace, in this sense; every grace, as to its act and exercise, is capable of growing and increasing; faith may grow exceedingly, hope abound, love increase, and patience have its perfect work, and saints may grow more humble, holy, and self-denying: this is indeed God's work, to cause them to grow, and it is owing to his grace; yet… a growth in which saints should be concerned for: the knowledge of Jesus and his glory.
Bottom-line Beloved,
- God's Word contain all the knowledge we will ever need to learn about God, His Son, and His Spirit, in this life.
- God desires for us to grow in His infinite grace.
- For those He has saved us and He wishes each to be sanctified - set apart as holy like Himself.
- He promises to transform us into the image of His Son.
- And He will use His Word as we study, and apply its principles to our lives and commune with Him each day until one day...
Blessings,
sue