Read
2 Peter 3
Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Verse 18 (NIV)
Reflect
It continues to be a mystery to me how some people embrace faith in Jesus and grow at an extraordinary rate into knowledge and maturity. Then at the same there are others who just do not seem to advance in any manner in their faith.
We understand that growing in faith comes through the work of the Holy Spirit and God’s grace. It is the Holy Spirit that reveals truth in our hearts and who guides us on our pathway in life. But that does not exclude us from being active participants in discovering God’s truth for our lives. We are responsible to live holy and godly lives wherever God has placed us.
In today’s verses, Peter urges his readers and us to make every effort to grow. The Spirit works in us to cultivate our faith when we read God’s word and allow our hearts and minds to be enlightened by truth. The Spirit works in us to cultivate our faith when we listen to God’s Word, through meditating on it and hearing it proclaimed in times of worship. The Spirit works in our hearts when we turn to our Lord and Saviour in prayer for our needs and for the needs of our world. The Spirit also constantly works in us to respond to opportunities to show God’s love and share our faith with others. All of these disciplines call us to be actively engaged in our spiritual development. Disciplines call for discipline on our part so they can develop maturity in our Christian lives.
Peter challenges his readers and us to: “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever.” Not only do we grow in our Christian lives but at the same time we bring glory to the One who has saved us.
Pray
Holy Spirit, we praise and thank you for your gift of grace. Please continue to soften our hearts and mold our wills to serve and glorify our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
