2 Peter 3:18 KJV
[18] “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.”
What Peter is saying in this verse is not a suggestion but a calling. Grace is more than the doorway of salvation; it is the atmosphere in which the believer lives. The grace that first forgives us is the same grace that sustains us. It is the same grace that teaches us how to live a godly life. It is also the same grace that develops us as we go along the road of life. To grow in grace means to deepen our understanding of God’s unmerited favor. It also means that we are to reflect this grace toward others. Grace moves us away from pride and self-reliance. It causes us to walk humbly before man and depend more upon God. We need His grace every day that we live.
God does not want us to stand still as believers. His desire is for each of us to grow and mature in our Christian walk. Spiritual growth is not always dramatic or visible. It usually happens in quiet moments of prayer. It is developed as we exercise daily obedience to His will. We grow when we choose forgiveness in difficult circumstances. Growth also takes place when we live by faith and trust the hand of God. Just as a tree grows slowly, yet surely, when rooted in good soil, so the believer grows in grace when rooted in Christ.
Peter pairs this grace with the “knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” This knowledge is not merely intellectual, but it involves our relationship with the Lord. It also includes the experiences we encounter as we walk with Him. To know Jesus is to walk with Him, to learn His ways, and to be shaped by His character. It is possible to know about Christ without truly knowing Him.
We are also created to give God the glory. Peter is glorifying the Lord in the final sentence of this epistle. Our lives are to be a living testament of the grace of God, which will ultimately glorify God. He has promised to give us grace for every day. We can have grace for every trial and every heartache that we face. Dear reader, my prayer is that reading this devotional book has deepened your walk with the Lord. I pray that you have grown in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ and that your life has been enriched as a result of the time spent reading this book. I pray that the Lord will receive the glory in your personal walk and that you will remain faithful as you serve Him. To Him be glory, both now and for ever, Amen!