But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen" (2 Peter 3:18).
God's word challenges us to grow in grace. That statement presupposes that in the first place, we have already been dealt a measure of grace by the Lord. That is the only sense whereby we can place the challenge to grow in grace into proper context. You already have grace, for God cannot ask you to grow in what you don't already have.
We know from Titus 2:11 that the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. Some have responded to this grace, others are yet to do so. For those who have responded to God's grace in Christ
Jesus, we are admonished not to receive this grace in vain (2 Corinthians 6:1). Here are a few things that you need to do.
First, you must nurture that grace by growing in it. The grace of God feeds on the word of God in order to grow. That is why Acts 20:34 labels the Scripture as the "word of His grace". The more we study and
meditate in the word of God, the more we can grow in the grace of God. Those who sit down to learn at the feet of Jesus grow in grace. The process of growing in grace must also involve prayer. The spirit of grace is also the spirit of prayer (Zechariah 12:10.
Secondly, we must walk worthy of the Lord, living lives that is worthy of the grace of God. While truly there is liberty for us through the grace of God, that grace should never be taken as an occasion for lasciviousness. In simple terms, those who have received the grace of God and desire to grow in it always run away from the things that displease the God of grace. As the Scripture says, we cannot continue in sin and expect grace to abound (Romans 6:1). The more we purge ourselves from all forms of uncleanness, the more we can grow in the grace of God.
Finally, the Apostle Paul also tells us from his own life example that one way to show you have not received the grace of God in vain and to grow in it is to labour abundantly in that grace (1 Corinthians 15:10). Labouring in that grace, serving the Lord acceptably with reverence and godly fear, and abounding in every good work, will keep you growing in grace and faith. Indeed, the purpose of grace is service and when grace is allowed to fulfil it's purpose, it grows. A major area of service is to keep on sharing the good news with those who are yet to respond to the grace of God.
Again, I leave you with this prayer taken from 2 Peter 1:2 - May the grace of God be continually multiplied unto you through the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen" (2 Peter 3:18).
God's word challenges us to grow in grace. That statement presupposes that in the first place, we have already been dealt a measure of grace by the Lord. That is the only sense whereby we can place the challenge to grow in grace into proper context. You already have grace, for God cannot ask you to grow in what you don't already have.
We know from Titus 2:11 that the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. Some have responded to this grace, others are yet to do so. For those who have responded to God's grace in Christ
Jesus, we are admonished not to receive this grace in vain (2 Corinthians 6:1). Here are a few things that you need to do.
First, you must nurture that grace by growing in it. The grace of God feeds on the word of God in order to grow. That is why Acts 20:34 labels the Scripture as the "word of His grace". The more we study and
meditate in the word of God, the more we can grow in the grace of God. Those who sit down to learn at the feet of Jesus grow in grace. The process of growing in grace must also involve prayer. The spirit of grace is also the spirit of prayer (Zechariah 12:10.
Secondly, we must walk worthy of the Lord, living lives that is worthy of the grace of God. While truly there is liberty for us through the grace of God, that grace should never be taken as an occasion for lasciviousness. In simple terms, those who have received the grace of God and desire to grow in it always run away from the things that displease the God of grace. As the Scripture says, we cannot continue in sin and expect grace to abound (Romans 6:1). The more we purge ourselves from all forms of uncleanness, the more we can grow in the grace of God.
Finally, the Apostle Paul also tells us from his own life example that one way to show you have not received the grace of God in vain and to grow in it is to labour abundantly in that grace (1 Corinthians 15:10). Labouring in that grace, serving the Lord acceptably with reverence and godly fear, and abounding in every good work, will keep you growing in grace and faith. Indeed, the purpose of grace is service and when grace is allowed to fulfil it's purpose, it grows. A major area of service is to keep on sharing the good news with those who are yet to respond to the grace of God.
Again, I leave you with this prayer taken from 2 Peter 1:2 - May the grace of God be continually multiplied unto you through the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
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