By Alphaeus Lopez
To put it simply, we are instructed through the scriptures to grow in grace.
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ….
There we go! So, grow in grace. The end, thank you for your time…
Hehehe… no, I don’t intend on making this article that short. So bear with me and get your bible ready! wohooo.
Upon being assigned to write the article of this subject matter, I was quite blank. I was puzzled as to what it meant to grow in grace, it made me wonder if I have even been doing it at all, do you sympathize with me on this?
But, never fear (except godly fear, cause that’s good Hebrews 12:28 )! God’s revelation is here! (the bible yea. 2 Tim 3:16-17; Rom 16:25-27; 1 Pet 1:20-21) let’s try to understand what “growing in grace” means so that we can act upon it.
Realising that I had shallow knowledge in this area, it enticed me to search the scriptures, and see what the bible has to say about growing in grace. (Acts 17:11; 2 Tim 3:16-17 ) Going back to the bible is always the best way to go about things.
Firstly, what does this title mean?
▪ What is growth?
The concept of growth is to increase, become more developed or mature in a certain aspect or area.
▪ What is grace?
▪ It is a gift that is not earned (Ephesians 2:5-9;3:7-10)
▪ It is given by God(Ephesians 4:7; 3:7-10)
▪ It can be ministered (Ephesians 4:29)
▪ It is
given for a purpose(2 Corinthians
9:8 )
Grace is unmerited favour. This means that grace is a form of priviledge/blessing or favour that we did not earn with our works or achievements.
(Ephesians 2:5-9 ) God in His wisdom emphasises that we are not saved by works, and thereby relinquishing the feeling of boastfulness. Wise indeed. The concept of grace becomes clear when it is compared to a gift (v.8) unlike an incentive that is achieved by works, a gift is something we have not worked for. This is very important to understand in order to utilize grace as it was intended.
▪ But why arent works enough?
Romans 3:9
What then? are we better than they ? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
Romans 3:23-24
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; [24] Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
We have all sinned, sin is enmity from God
Being separated from God is a consequence of sin (1 John 3:4; Rom 8:6-7), and as long as we are in that sin, we cannot be reconciled, Jesus therefore came down and died as a propitiation for us(1 John 2:1-2)
Therefore, it is the grace of Jesus Christ that saves us
(Acts 15:11,Romans 5:8-15)
▪ Is grace a license to do as we please?
since we are saved through grace, does grace reduce our responsibility to be sanctified and holy?
Romans 6:1-2
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? [2] God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
No! In fact, Grace makes us more responsible, having been forgiven through grace we must walk uprightly and no longer remain in sin that we may be acceptable to God.
James 1:25
But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Galatians 2:20-21
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. [21] I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
▪ Now, how do we growing grace?
2 Peter 3:18
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.
Well, now it should be clearer when I say that to grow in grace is to mature as a Christian
God has the sovereign right to grant us grace, so it must mean to grow with the assurance that our past sin will not separate us from God as it has been pardoned by grace, that we may appear to be pure, holy and acceptable to God, having our sins forgiven from us and remembered no more (Hebrews 10:17).
Because of sin. (Romans 6:23), we were at enmity with God, and our works could not save us from the consequeunce of sin, but it is thanks to grace that we have a way out.
Therefore, to fully utilize this gift, we must… GROWWWW
We grow by obeying God’s commandments and doing what He expects us to do.
There is much to do, after all, Christianity is not a past time, but a lifestyle, so to always (1 Corinthians 15:8 – always abounding…) do what He expects us to do is a lifelong commitment, worth an eternal reward. (Revelations 22:12)
The first step is to learn(know) (2Timothy 2:15)
The second is the apply (James 1:25)
If we don’t have a consistent method by which you study and apply the scripture, we may forget, Therefore, allow me to suggest this method of study.
To meditate on scriptures! (Psalms 1:2)
It is an excellent way to firstly, look into the perfect law of liberty (the bible) secondly, to continue in it, and also to be a doer of the work.
Daily,from your reading, pick just one verse of your choice, take the time to read it over and over within its context and understand what it means, then consider how you can apply it in your life. I personally found much verses to meditate on from the bulletin articles.
This can only be as practical as you allow it to be. (word of the Law to dwell in you richly) God be with you and bless you, may you examine yourself to see wether or not you are using the grace of God for its intended purpose,(2 Corinthians 9:8). Let us all strive to be more godly and pleasing in Gods sight that we may receive our inheritance that will last forever and ever amen.
