Growing in grace

‘But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.’ 2 Peter 3.18

If we pause to think about it, this verse is quite remarkable.  It’s about how we should aim to grow in our Christian lives, and if we were to suggest some possible areas for growth it’s likely we would come up with suggestions such as more obedience, deeper prayer lives and increased commitment.  However, this verse simply encourages us to grow ‘in the grace and knowledge’ of Jesus.

Growing in our experience of the grace of God is such a beautiful invitation – it’s almost like giving a chocolate lover a job as a product tester in a chocolate factory!  It is an invitation to explore the wonderful kindness and goodness of Jesus and to revel in the fact that we are utterly loved, accepted and forgiven. The main difference between what Jesus offers and the chocolate factory analogy is that we are not called simply to enjoy the product, but to let the grace point us to the one who pours out the grace.

Spend a while thoroughly enjoying the fact that everything Jesus has given to you – his love, salvation and your life with him – is because he loves you so much.  Let your contemplation of these things cause you to fix your eyes upon him in a deeper way so that right now you begin to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus.

www.healingmission.org