2 Peter 3:18 - Growing In Your Relationship With Jesus.
2 Peter 3:18: Growing In Your Relationship With Jesus.
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.
2 Peter 3:18 (AMP) But grow in grace (undeserved favor,
spiritual strength) and recognition and knowledge and understanding of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (the Messiah). To Him [be] glory (honor,
majesty, and splendor) both now and to the day of eternity. Amen (so be
it)!
2 Peter 3:18 (TLB) But grow in spiritual strength and become
better acquainted with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be all
glory and splendid honor, both now and forevermore. Good-bye. Peter
WORD STUDY
Peter concludes his two epistles by urging us not to remain
babes in Christ, but to "grow"! Our growth should be in both doctrine
and practice, each being inadequate by itself. His first epistle
emphasizes "grace" (with eight occurrences), the second "knowledge" (with
six occurrences). [Defenders SB]
Grow. The tense implies keep on growing. Growth is
characteristic of the true child of God as it is of all living things inasmuch
as he has found a new life in Christ Jesus (cf. 1 Cor. 4:15). His
goal is a character that resembles the perfect character of his Lord,
and a mind that is able to think His thoughts after Him. He aspires
to grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even
Christ (see on Eph. 4:15). In this life, and thereafter in the life to
come, the Christian can look forward to endless growth in character
and in understanding the will and ways of God. There will ever be
new worlds of mind and spirit for him to conquer, new heights to
climb, new doors of adventure and opportunity to open. [SDA Bible
Commentary]
Grace. Be continually increasing in grace as described in 1:5-7
i.e. FAITH, VIRTUE (excellence, resolution, Christian energy),
KNOWLEDGE (intelligence), SELF-CONTROL, STEADFASTNESS (patience,
endurance), GODLINESS (piety), BROTHERLY AFFECTION, CHRISTIAN LOVE. [Ryrie
SB]
Knowledge. This Greek word for knowledge usually connotes
progressive, experiential, and personal knowledge; it is knowledge that can
grow. We need to grow in our actual, personal knowledge of Jesus
Christ; such knowledge is the greatest protection against false
teachings. One of the prominent themes in this epistle is Peters
exhortation to the believers to attain a fuller, more thorough knowledge of
Jesus Christ (1:8; 2:20; 3:18). [Nelson SB]
COMMENTARY
Peter concludes this brief letter as he began, by urging his
readers to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ"to get to know him better and better. [Life Application SB]
We are to grow in that grace; but since grace is God's unmerited
favor, how do we grow in it? In part by feeding on the Word which
enables us to grow in knowledge of our God; that knowledge enables us to
make choices that please Him. [In His Time; Walk With Wisdom]
It is the Lord's desire that His followers shall grow in grace,
that their love shall abound more and more, that they shall be filled
with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the
praise and glory of God. One of the divine plans for growth is
impartation. The Christian is to gain strength by strengthening others. "He
that watereth shall be watered also himself." This is not merely a
promise; it is a divine law, a law by which God designs that the streams
of benevolence, like the waters of the great deep, shall be kept in
constant circulation, continually flowing back to their source. In the
fulfilling of this law is the secret of spiritual growth. {7BC 947}
Grow In Grace - not in one grace only, but in all grace.
Grow in that root-grace, faith. Believe the promises more firmly than
you have done. Let faith increase in fulness, constancy, simplicity.
Grow also in love. Ask that your love may become extended, more
intense, more practical, influencing every thought, word, and deed. Grow
likewise in humility. Seek to lie very low, and know more of your own
nothingness. As you grow downward in humility, seek also to grow upward -
having nearer approaches to God in prayer and more intimate fellowship
with Jesus. May God the Holy Spirit enable you to grow in the
knowledge of our Lord and Saviour. He who grows not in the knowledge of
Jesus, refuses to be blessed. To know him is life eternal, and to
advance in the knowledge of him is to increase in happiness. He who does
not long to know more of Christ, knows nothing of him yet. Whoever
hath sipped this wine will thirst for more, for although Christ doth
satisfy, yet it is such a satisfaction, that the appetite is not cloyed,
but whetted. If you know the love of Jesus - as the hart panteth for
the water-brooks, so will you pant after deeper draughts of his
love. If you do not desire to know him better, then you love him not,
for love always cries, Nearer, nearer. Absence from Christ is
hell; but the presence of Jesus is heaven. Rest not then content
without an increasing acquaintance with Jesus. Seek to know more of him
in his divine nature, in his human relationship, in his finished
work, in his death, in his resurrection, in his present glorious
intercession, and in his future royal advent. Abide hard by the Cross, and
search the mystery of his wounds. An increase of love to Jesus, and a
more perfect apprehension of his love to us is one of the best tests
of growth in grace. [Morning and Evening by Charles H. Spurgeon]
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
God wants you to grow up spiritually and become more like
Jesus Christ. How do you do that? By taking some of your money and
investing it in yourself and your personal growth.
The Bible says in 2 Peter 3:18, Grow in spiritual strength
and become better acquainted with our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ (TLB).
You grow in spiritual strength by using your money to develop
skills and educate yourself, to become a better leader, a better
speaker, a better prayer, or just a better person.
I hate to tell you this, but youre not taking your car to
heaven with you. Youre not taking your condo or your couch or your
clothes or your china to heaven.
But you are going to take your character. It may be tempting
to use your money to invest in comfort, but God wants you to use
your money to invest in something thats going to heaven: your
character.
That means anytime you use your money to buy a Christian book
that helps you grow, youve invested in what I call Gods
Growth Fund. Anytime you use some of your money to pay for a retreat
or a conference that helps you improve your life, youve invested
in the Growth Fund. Anytime you spend money on a class that helps
makes you more of what God wants you to be, God smiles and says
thats a good use of money.
Ill never forget when I bought my first Bible. I was a
teenager and I thought, This is the most important book to me, so
Im going to get the best one I can find. I did a little research
and found one that I like called the Thompson Chain Reference Bible.
Then I said, I want a binding that lasts, so Im going to get it
in the nicest leather I can find. It costs me 60 bucks to buy
that Bible"two months of my allowance. I gave up two months
worth of snacks and movies and stuff like that, but I got a really
cool Bible that I knew I could use for the rest of my life.
I still have that Bible. Its my most treasured possession
because Ive been through it so many times and underlined and marked
it all up.
The Bible says, Why spend your money on something that is
not real food? . . . Listen closely to me, and you will eat what is
good; your soul will enjoy the rich food that satisfies (Isaiah
55:2 NCV).
You can spend your money on junk food or soul
food. Choose to spend your money on food for your soul that helps you
grow spiritually.
https://pastorrick.com/use-your-money-to-invest-in-character-not-comfort/
ILLUSTRATIONS
For the longest time in my walk with Jesus, I told everyone I
knew Him. After all, I was saved. But truthfully, I was only
acquainted with Jesus. It was only after I was paralyzed - after I had
suffered so much - that I learned to abide by the cross. Only then did I
begin to search the mystery of what His wounds meant to me. In time,
my acquaintance grew into a precious knowledge. But I still have a
long way to go. Even though Jesus satisfies, it's the sort of
satisfaction that begs for more. The person who knows Christ wants to know
Him more. You can never have too much Jesus. Your love will always
keep crying for more and more of Him. It's what today's Scripture
means: "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ." Don't settle for being an acquaintance of Your Creator and
Savior; get to know Him.
Lord, I know I will spend eternity learning more and more
about You, experiencing more and more of Your nearness and presence
but never coming to the beginning or the end of who You are. Even
so, seeking to know You is the best and sweetest part of life here
on earth. [A Spectacle of Glory by Joni Eareckson Tada and Larry
Libby]
We must allow time for change. Change is more often than not
a process. I want to emphasize this because many, when once they
see the way out of their dilemma, want change to take place too
quickly. Some changes in our lives take place quickly. The night I
surrendered my life to Jesus Christ, a lot of my sinful habits left me. But
some didn't, and the process of change was long and tedious. Deep
healing and supernatural change can take place in a moment, but often it
takes months of struggle, trial and error, learning and unlearning.
All of us have different timetables when it comes to growing,
and no one should judge another's timetable. There is an assumption
that when God is involved, then all change will be instantaneous. It
can happen that way, but be prepared also for it to take place over
a period of time. A gardener friend of mine says: "Slow growth is
good growth." It is the same in the garden of the soul.
Father, help me to be content with Your timetable for my
spiritual growth. Sometimes I want to grow more quickly than is good for
me. Help me be patient with Your patience. In Jesus' name. Amen.
[Every Day With Jesus Bible with Selwyn Hughes devotional]
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Someone has said there is only one real difference between a
man and a boy. A mans toys are more expensive.
Theres probably more truth in that saying than wed like
to admit. Its really amazing how much time and money people
spend on newer clothes, sportier cars, bigger screen TVs, and faster
boats. Especially when one morning were going to wake up, and find
that everything we have is all gone.
Thats the point Peter wanted to make here. He didnt
really care that hed provided insight into how the world will end.
He just wants us to know that, when the heavens will disappear
with a roar; the [very] elements will be destroyed by fire, those
material playthings we love so much will be all gone.
Of course, once we understand this, Peter wants us to act
appropriately. What kind of people ought we to be? he asks. And he
answers. You ought to live holy and godly lives, as you look
forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
Why clutch your playthings to you, when tomorrow morning theyll
be gone anyway? And all youll have left, is you. Why not invest
that time, that enthusiasm, in building the new you?
A holy and godly life, marked by growth in the grace and
knowledge of Jesus, will secure eternal rewards. How much better a focus
that provides for our life than toys that, very, very soon, will be
all gone. [The 365-Day Devotional Commentary]
To him be glory both now and forever.
Heaven will be full of the ceaseless praises of Jesus.
Eternity! thine unnumbered years shall speed their everlasting course, but
forever and for ever, to him be glory. Is he not a Priest for
ever after the order of Melchizedek? To him be glory. Is he
not king for ever?-King of kings and Lord of lords, the everlasting
Father? To him be glory for ever. Never shall his praises cease.
That which was bought with blood deserves to last while immortality
endures. The glory of the cross must never be eclipsed; the lustre of the
grave and of the resurrection must never be dimmed. O Jesus! thou
shalt be praised for ever. Long as immortal spirits live-long as the
Fathers throne endures-for ever, for ever, unto thee shall be glory.
Believer, you are anticipating the time when you shall join the saints
above in ascribing all glory to Jesus; but are you glorifying him now?
The apostles words are, To him be glory both now and for
ever. Will you not this day make it your prayer? Lord, help me to
glorify thee; I am poor, help me to glorify thee by contentment; I am
sick, help me to give thee honour by patience; I have talents, help me
to extol thee by spending them for thee; I have time, Lord, help me
to redeem it, that I may serve thee; I have a heart to feel, Lord,
let that heart feel no love but thine, and glow with no flame but
affection for thee; I have a head to think, Lord, help me to think of thee
and for thee; thou hast put me in this world for something, Lord,
show me what that is, and help me to work out my life-purpose: I
cannot do much, but as the widow put in her two mites, which were all
her living, so, Lord, I cast my time and eternity too into thy
treasury; I am all thine; take me, and enable me to glorify thee now, in
all that I say, in all that I do, and with all that I have.
[Morning and Evening by Charles H. Spurgeon]
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo [old, but one of the best]
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Musical Devotional On Christian Living:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/
ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Restoring The Power by John Bradshaw:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
Last Day Prophecy: His Other Sheep by Pastor Gerald Babanezhad:
https://vimeo.com/162267518
