ARE YOU GROWING IN THE GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS?
The apostle Peter closed his second epistle, encouraging believers to “grow in the grace and knowledge” of Jesus. He warned against being led away by the error of the wicked, advising its alternative, namely, to grow in Christ. He understood that in spiritual life, as in physical life, nothing remains static. It either grows or declines. But healthy things grow.
This growth is to take place in two arenas: 1) in the grace of Jesus, and 2) in the knowledge of Jesus.
1) What is this grace of Jesus and how do we grow in it? It is the unmerited favor of God. We grow in this grace by receiving God’s favor through Jesus and continually drawing on it and applying it to ourselves and others. We are no longer under God’s judgement and condemnation. We are under His grace. So, we grow by applying this new freedom in every relationship.
This grace is also the gift of the Spirit, who seals us, abides in us, and empowers us to bear spiritual fruit. We grow in the grace of Jesus by becoming more like Him in His character. For the “fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Gal. 5:22-23).
2) What does it mean to grow in the knowledge of Jesus? How does one grow in the knowledge of any person? Don’t we spend time together? Sometimes talking, walking, working, playing, eating…? We do life together with someone and we grow in the knowledge of that person. So it is with Jesus. We grow in the knowledge of Him by spending time with Him, reading His Word, praying, always abiding in Him, always seeking to follow Him and listen to His voice.
Are you growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?
PRAYER: Dear Father, we want to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. Fill us afresh that we might grow in grace. Help us to hear Your Son that we might grow in knowledge of Him, always able to recognize His voice. We want to grow up in Christ Jesus. In His name we pray, amen.