BUT GROW IN THE GRACE
2 PETER 3:18
2 PETER 3:18 NKJ
18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
You really need to read this chapter. It offers a startling look at global warming. In verse ten, it indicates that heaven and earth will be burned up. Verse thirteen says we will get a new heaven and a new earth.
But the end of this chapter puts the focus back on the present.
Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This is not a simple close to the letter. Not a take care until I see you again. This is a directive. There will be an end to the world as we know it. Life here on earth is not forever so we have some things we must do.
The grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus. This will involve what Jesus has done for us in His life, death, burial, and resurrection. This is not referring to a historical view of Jesus.
It is certainly good to know what Jesus did during His time here on earth. But learning historical facts will not necessarily produce spiritual growth.
However, learning about Jesus from the perspective of Him being our example is something entirely different. Jesus asks us to follow Him. This will involve taking our place as the Body of Christ and representing Him to the world. Growing in the knowledge of Jesus will also involve the list we read about on Wednesday in the first chapter of Second Peter. This list made up of godly character traits are all areas that we can grow and develop in. As we grow in these areas, we grow in our knowledge of the Lord Jesus. This list is how He lived and the traits He exhibits today.
Grace is God's unmerited favor and His power on our behalf. The grace of the Lord Jesus is what belongs to us because of what He did. This is our inheritance that we have because of Him. We have not explored the depths of all He has done, all that grace has provided, but we can grow in this as well.
APPLICATION:
The Christian life is a life of constant growth or a life of potential growth. The growth is up to us, not to God. It's not automatic or a function of being a believer for years. Growth in grace will involve an intentional focus and effort to learn, to seek, to reach, and apply. It's exciting. Because if we grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus, we will be growing as individuals. Growth does not have to stop at a certain age. We can grow during our time here on earth and into eternity.
PRAYER:
Dear Father, please show me how I can grow more in grace and in the knowledge of my Lord and Savior Jesus.