Growing in Grace
(NIV) 2 Pet 1: 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
When I read these verses, I am immediately reminded of two things: Paul’s admonition that we work out our own salvation, and the phrase, “growing in grace,” or what is sometimes called “sanctification.”
I love that there is no magic formula for living a godly life. Instead, Peter says God’s power gives us everything necessary to achieve godliness. Paul tells us in Romans 12:3 we were given a measure of faith. We needed faith to accept the free gift of salvation, and from there our faith continues to grow. As our faith grows, our spiritual gifts grow.
Today’s scripture shows a progression of spiritual growth. I’ve known for years that our spiritual life is never really stagnant—we are either growing (moving forward) or backsliding (moving backwards). While some of you may not be familiar with the term backsliding, in general it means a Christian who has fallen back into old habits or old sins. It is not a good thing.
Instead, God provides a way of remaining true to our faith, and that method is by growing in the grace gifts of God. (NRSV) Gal 5:22 … the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.
When I first accepted Christ and came upon this scripture, I thought, “Oh, no…I don’t have any of these gifts.” But then I saw joy, and I said, “Wait, I have joy. I’ll start with that.” When we spend a portion of each day with God, we will begin to grow into His image. The more time we spend with our Lord and Savior, the more we begin to act like Him, talk like Him, and even look like Him.
May we make use of our time, learning of God and then sharing Him with others.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
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Seeking Holiness 