(Read 2 Peter 1:1&2)
This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by starting a new mini-series entitled, “Growing in Grace.” I started this series in September 2012 (21 months ago), and at the time I had no idea this series would go this long. I trust you have been blessed and I trust you are growing in grace as you grow in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is what the Apostle Peter said in his second letter and it is what we will study for the next phase of this series.
The Apostle Peter opens his letter by saying, “This letter is from Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to you who share the same precious faith we have. This faith was given to you because of the justice and fairness of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior. May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord” (2 Peter 1:1&2 NLT). The traditional King James Version of verse 2 reads, “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.” I like the word “multiplied” in the KJV, but I also like more modern translations. For example, the J. B. Phillips translation of verse 2 reads, “May you know more and more of grace and peace as your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord grows deeper.”
I will circle back around to the faith mentioned in verse 1 tomorrow, but for today I want to focus in on verse 2.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. To grow in grace and peace you must grow in knowledge. Peter said, “May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.” When I started this series 21 months ago I had been walking with God for years and I had already studied His Word diligently for over 17 years (at that point). However, I had never studied God’s grace. I can unequivocally say that I have grown in grace, and subsequently in peace, because this series has helped me increase in knowledge. The more I have studied this topic, the more revelation I have received about the heart of God and it has truly changed my life and ministry.
2. The more you know about God the more you will understand, appreciate and access His grace. As preachers and teachers we can sometimes be guilty of focusing our study on what we can get from God. But a study in God’s grace is not a study in what you can get from God, it is a study of God Himself. The more you learn of God’s grace, the more you learn about the heart of God for His children. Some see God has a power yielding terror who is Lording over them. But the scriptures reveal a God of grace who yearns for you to know Him as a loving, caring and sharing Heavenly Father.
3. The purpose of studying the Word of God is to get to know the God of the Word. The Bible is not a textbook to study, but rather a life-book to live. So when you study scripture it is not an exercise in human intellect, but rather an experience with a loving God who chose to document His will. The more you study the Word of God, the more you learn of God’s character, attributes and nature, and the more you learn of Him. That is the point of studying. Not for head knowledge, but to solidify your relationship with the true and living God. When you understand this you don’t read the Bible with only your eyes open, you read it with your heart open, fully expecting to hear what God IS SAYING as you read what HE ALREADY SAID.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me more and more about Your amazing grace. The more I study Your Word, especially as it relates to Your grace, the more I get to know You. I am growing in grace because I am growing in knowledge. The more I read scripture and the more acquainted I become with Your character, attributes and nature, the more intimate my relationship is with You. I don’t read Your Word to simply find out what You said, I read Your Word with an open heart, ready to hear what You are saying to me daily. I do not live my life by bread alone. I live my life by a constant stream of Your Words. Your Word teaches me about You. The more I grow in knowledge, the closer I get to You, the more I understand and appreciate Your grace, and the more peace I have for my daily living. I am able to face things today that would have crippled me 10 years ago, because I have grown in grace and peace, by growing in my knowledge of You. I am not moved by what I see. I am only moved by what You say, because my relationship with You is so strong that satan cannot derail me from my destiny. I am not today where I was yesterday, because I have grown in grace and peace, and tomorrow I will not be where I am today, because I grow daily. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
