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2 Peter 3:18 - Growing Your Relationship With Jesus.2 Peter 3:18 (NKJV) but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. 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)! CONTEXT 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). [Defender's SB] INTRODUCTION Peter concludes this brief letter as he began - by urging his readers to grow in the grace and knowledge of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; that is, they were to get to know him better and better. This is the same way we can discern and combat false teaching. The better we know the real Jesus, the less likely we will be deceived by any false teaching about him. No matter where we are in our spiritual journeys, no matter how mature we are in our faith, the sinful, fallen world will always challenge our belief in Jesus. We still have much room for growth. Every day we need to draw closer to Christ so that we will be prepared to stand for truth in any and all circumstances. [Life Application SB 2019] COMMENTARY PEARLS How is it possible that we may grow in grace? It is possible to us only as we empty our hearts of self, and present them to Heaven, to be molded after the divine Pattern. We may have a connection with the living channel of light; we may be refreshed with the heavenly dew, and have the showers of Heaven descend upon us. As we appropriate the blessing of God, we shall be able to receive greater measures of His grace. As we learn to endure as seeing Him who is invisible, we shall become changed into the image of Christ. The grace of Christ will not make us proud, cause us to be lifted up in self, but we shall become meek and lowly in heart (ST Jan. 16, 1893). {7 BC 947} 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 (ST June 12, 1901). {7 BC 947} Strength comes by exercise; activity is the very condition of life. Those who endeavor to maintain Christian life by passively accepting the blessings that come through the means of grace, and doing nothing for Christ, are simply trying to live by eating without working. And in the spiritual as in the natural world, this always results in degeneration and decay. A man who would refuse to exercise his limbs would soon lose all power to use them. Thus the Christian who will not exercise his God-given powers not only fails to grow up into Christ, but he loses the strength that he already had. {SC 80} Sanctification is not the work of a moment, an hour, or a day. It is a continual growth in grace. We know not one day how strong will be our conflict the next. Satan lives, and is active, and every day we need to earnestly cry to God for help and strength to resist him. As long as Satan reigns we shall have self to subdue, besetments to overcome, and there is no stopping place. There is no point to which we can come and say we have fully attained (RH May 6, 1862). {7 BC 947} COMMENTARY An Amazing Fact: A turnip seed under good conditions can increase its weight 15 times a minute - and in rich soil, after sprouting, it can increase its weight up to 15,000 times a day! Still, there is no seed force more powerful than a growing squash seed. An 18-day-old squash was harnessed on a lever and lifted 50 pounds as it grew! Nineteen days later, it raised 5,000 pounds! In Matthew 13:24-34, Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed. For people in Palestine, this was probably the smallest seed used by farmers. Under good conditions, it could grow to a plant 10 feet tall. Though it has humble beginnings, this mighty little seed can do great things! Jesus later said, "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can move mountains" (Matthew 17:20). Your Faith Is Like An Insignificant Seed. It Might Appear Plain, Brown, And Even Dead On The Outside. But Underneath Are All The Elements Needed To Grow A Mighty Plan. When You Die To Self, Bury Your Life In Christ, And Allow The Holy Spirit To Water Your Faith, It Will Grow. Day By Day The Seed Will Become Stronger As It Is Connected To The Elements That God Provides. Is Your Faith Weak? Does It Seem That Your Willpower Falls At The Slightest Temptation? Come To Christ. Confess Your Sins. Cast Yourself At His Feet. Cling To The Promises Of The Bible. Pray, "Dear Lord, Though My Faith Is Weak, When I Come To You, I Believe Through Your Power That My Faith Will Grow Stronger Every Day. I Give You My Small Faith. Make It Grow Mighty And Strong! Amen!" [Moving Mountains by Amazing Facts] CLOSING THOUGHT Writing materials for women's Bible studies has grown my faith and deepened my understanding of who Jesus is. Before and during the writing process, I immersed myself in research using the Word of God and recommended Bible study tools. Without fail, I discover gems I've overlooked despite reading particular passages numerous times. Take, for example, the story of Jesus's transfiguration on the mountain. As Jesus engaged in conversation with Moses and Elijah, "His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light." Then God spoke from a cloud saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" (Matthew 17:2-5, NIV). Peter, James, and John witnessed this and fell facedown on the ground in terror. They'd walked, talked, and lived with Jesus for nearly three years. Perhaps, because of their familiarity with Him, they'd treated Him casually. But this event opened their spiritual eyes to see who He really was (2 Peter 1:16-19). Like the disciples, I need reminders now and again about who Jesus is. Without them, I begin to regard Him too casually. He's my friend, yes, but He's also God incarnate - absolutely holy, sovereign, wise, and powerful. The more I grow in my knowledge of Him, the more I'm moved to worship. To think that He lavishes His grace on me leaves me in awe. Grace Fox Faith Step: Go out into nature and thank Jesus for the beauty of His creation. Look at the sky today or the stars tonight. Let the wonder of the heavens stir your heart to worship Him. [Mornings With Jesus 2023 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan] LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY 2 Peter 3:18 - Growing In Your Relationship With Jesus. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210110-0957.html http://www.abible.com/devotions/2018/20181001-1201.html LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT https://abible.com/links/ |