How to "grow" in grace.

Thursday 20 May 2021

How to "grow" in grace.

“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 3.18

Have you ever said to one of your children : “I want you to grow ten centimeters taller over the next twelve months. You understood well ? So start growing !” Certainly a business leader can set goals to be achieved during a given period, and encourage his employees to redouble their efforts to achieve them, but asking a child to grow up according to parameters set by his parents is utterly ridiculous. Children cannot control all the factors that contribute to their growth. Why then does Peter think it is legitimate to command the believers to whom he is speaking to "grow in grace..." ? Spiritual growth is often the result of difficult circumstances that we would like to avoid : serious illness, bankruptcy of your business, divorce, or the departure of a loved one. Any situation which prompts you to take refuge in the arms of Jesus and which makes you understand that without Him you will not be able to get out of it, is a factor of spiritual growth. But this does not seem obvious to you when you are struggling through difficulties. Harold Sala explains that you grow in grace when :

1- You accept your present circumstances, even if you do not like them, convinced that God can put order in the chaos of your life.

2- You accept your inability to fend for yourself, assured that God is able and willing to support you. His grace is all you need today ! (2 Corinthians 12.9).

3- You cultivate an attitude of praise instead of complaining about your difficulties. This is why Paul wrote : “Be grateful in all circumstances. This is what God expects from you...” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

4- You desire to obey His will, even if all your friends, relatives, family, act differently. Even if you have to put your own will on the back burner. Even if you have to wait a long time for God to intervene in your situation, knowing that His schedule is different from yours.

Source (His Word for Today)