Bible Reading: Ezekiel 40, 41, 2 Peter 3.
“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 (KJV)
Grace is generally defined as the unmerited favour of God. It is the benevolence of God to the undeserving. We are all saved by grace. (Ephesians 2:5-8). When a child is born, he has all that he needs to be a man. His legs, arms, head and body. However there are things he needs to do for him to grow and become matured. As he grows in age and acquires experience, he gets more mature and this will reflect in his attitude. Also the man will need to study his father and know him well. In addition, he will need to be obedient to his father if he is to be liked by him.
Similarly, when a man gives his life to Christ, he has all the grace that he needs to be a matured Christian but needs to work on them. He needs to take a lot of milk of the word of God to grow appropriately. Same with growing in grace. 1 Peter 2:2 (KJV), “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” Having taken the milk regularly by reading, studying, and meditating on the scriptures, you begin to understand their deep meanings. Where you have issues of understanding, you should always go back to the author of the bible, Jesus Christ ( John 1:1;14 ) and ask him to explain the issues to you just the way you will ask your earthly father or brother. He will give you answers as long as you are sensitive to the Holy Spirit.
As you are studying the word, you also need to obey them as this will make you to please God and He will in turn draw you closer to him. Hebrews 5:9 (KJV) “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;”
As you obey him more, you begin to be like him and bear the fruit of the Spirit by showing more love, being full of joy, peaceful and long-suffering. You become more gentle, good to others, full of faith, meek with a lot of self control and you mortify the works of the flesh. ( Galatians 5:19-24 ). By these you will be fulfilling the command in 2 Peter 3:18 (KJV), “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.” This process is continuous until you become like the Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, please give me the grace to know you more as my Lord and Saviour.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero