Word@Work 2Pet33 - 2 Peter 3:18
Published: Wed, 09/23/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
DESPITE IT ALL, GROW!
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever! Amen. (NIV)
Which is more important in a battle: not to retreat, or to go forwards? Peter's letter has been full of warnings not to go backwards; reminding the early church to beware of false teachers and stay true to the Holy Scriptures. But in this last verse, before his martyrdom, he reminds them that they are designed to go forwards: to grow up into Christ. Yes, it is very important to identify heresy and to steer well clear: but heresy hunting can become almost a 'professional' Christian activity. However many errors are denounced, if we do not grow into the likeness of Jesus Christ, we have missed the point.
To grow in Christ involves increasing our capacity of receiving His grace. That starts when we first submit to His conviction of our sin, in repentance and faith. It continues as we get to know Him. But we can only extend our depth of relationship if it is based on a true understanding of who He is and what He has done. Faith which rests on our feelings or subjective experiences will always be deficient. That is why we must rely on what God says about Himself in the Bible. We have no other reliable evidence (cf 2 Peter 2:12-21).
When we grow up as real believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, God gets the glory. Our faith cannot glorify ourselves - it is simply an admission of our utter dependence on the mercy and grace of God. Our knowledge cannot glorify us either - it has come from God, and holding it simply makes us more accountable. No, God gets the glory whenever sinners seek their Saviour, when the poor in spirit receive their inheritance and when the persecuted are sustained to keep going because they hope in Christ. He is the most wonderful Saviour ever!
Prayer: Dear Lord God. Thank You for everything which You have done to enable me to be saved, and to enter into the blessings of your grace. Help me to bring glory to You by continuing to receive Your grace, and by depending on You every day. Help me to serve You and show your worth to others, in my work and witness. For the sake of Your glory. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Which is more important in a battle: not to retreat, or to go forwards? Peter's letter has been full of warnings not to go backwards; reminding the early church to beware of false teachers and stay true to the Holy Scriptures. But in this last verse, before his martyrdom, he reminds them that they are designed to go forwards: to grow up into Christ. Yes, it is very important to identify heresy and to steer well clear: but heresy hunting can become almost a 'professional' Christian activity. However many errors are denounced, if we do not grow into the likeness of Jesus Christ, we have missed the point.
To grow in Christ involves increasing our capacity of receiving His grace. That starts when we first submit to His conviction of our sin, in repentance and faith. It continues as we get to know Him. But we can only extend our depth of relationship if it is based on a true understanding of who He is and what He has done. Faith which rests on our feelings or subjective experiences will always be deficient. That is why we must rely on what God says about Himself in the Bible. We have no other reliable evidence (cf 2 Peter 2:12-21).
When we grow up as real believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, God gets the glory. Our faith cannot glorify ourselves - it is simply an admission of our utter dependence on the mercy and grace of God. Our knowledge cannot glorify us either - it has come from God, and holding it simply makes us more accountable. No, God gets the glory whenever sinners seek their Saviour, when the poor in spirit receive their inheritance and when the persecuted are sustained to keep going because they hope in Christ. He is the most wonderful Saviour ever!
Prayer: Dear Lord God. Thank You for everything which You have done to enable me to be saved, and to enter into the blessings of your grace. Help me to bring glory to You by continuing to receive Your grace, and by depending on You every day. Help me to serve You and show your worth to others, in my work and witness. For the sake of Your glory. Amen.
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