Passing Along a Question
About 28 years ago (roughly 1978), I was heading out of my office at the MacArthur Park Church of Christ and stopped to visit briefly with the Educational Secretary, Betty. She is one of several extremely intuitive people God has brought into my life. She told me she came across a passage of Scripture in her daily reading and wasn't sure how to follow it. She wanted to ask me a question, but wasn't wanting me to answer.
Betty opened her Bible to the last verse of II Peter and read, "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." Betty then said, "I know what knowledge is, and I know how to grow in knowledge. I know what grace is, but . . . how do you grow in grace?"
I have asked myself that question many times over the years, always remembering Betty. I don't have a good, clear answer even now. However, I do have a good, clear hunger to grow in the grace of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Tomorrow, I get to pass her comments and question along to the Bible class I teach at the church of Christ on McDermott Road.
Thank you, Betty, for the question and the example.
posted by Larry Klutts @ 7:44 PM
1 comments
1 Comments:
I spoke with Betty last week after writing this post. To shorten a long talk, she defined grace as God in us to supply what we need and cannot obtain.
To the question of "How do you grow in grace?" I have two answers, and they are one. To grow in grace, you allow God's Spirit to grow inside and consume you (our God is a consuming fire, Hebrews 12:29). Peter did not end his letter by introducing a new topic. He had been reminding his readers to grow in grace (and in knowledge) in both letters.
"As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I AM holy.'" - I Peter 1:14-16, NASV
"like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation," I Peter 2:2, NASV
"sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts," I Peter 3:15, NASV
"Humble youselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time," I Peter 5:6, NASV
"Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge; and in your knowledge, self-control, and in you self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness; and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, Christian love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." II Peter 1:5-8, NASV (emphasis mine)
"what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you wait eagerly for the day of God." II Peter 3:11b-12 NIV alternate reading
"make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him." II Peter 3:14b, NIV
That is my answer to the question "How do you grow in grace?" At least that is my answer right now. I'm still learning.
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