The dreaded day, in a good sense, has arrived. He is sixteen years old and six foot tall, good because he is normal and healthy. Dreaded because my grandson is now as tall as me. Since he could walk and talk, he would come up, hug my leg, and say, “Granddaddy, I’m almost as tall as you.” Adding further to the demise of my pride, males grow in height until their early twenties. I will no longer be the tallest among my children and their families. Of course, I’m kidding. It’s a pleasant reminder since he has the frame of my maternal grandfather. What did his parents to bring about such growth? Nothing! Growth is the normal course of life. If he had never grown, we would have known something was wrong and taken him to the doctor.
God expects spiritual growth with new believers. However, in contrast to physical growth, spiritual growth doesn’t happen by default. Spiritual growth is a choice and requires effort. God commands believers to grow. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Pet 3:18). The grammar of the word grow is a command. Just as physical birth isn’t an end-in-self, neither is spiritual rebirth for a new believer. Both are the beginning of a lifelong process. Growing in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is easy to understand. The main way for growth in knowledge comes through studying the Bible. Growing in the grace requires a bit more explanation. Grace means the favour of God towards us through His free gifts. Grace is never merited or deserved; it is always His unmerited favor. He gives us the gift of salvation and the forgiveness of sins not because we deserve it, but because of His grace. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; v9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast (Eph 2:8, 9)
The first step in growing in grace begins with the knowledge of God’s continuing provisions of grace. Ministers and mature Christians must teach new converts that grace didn’t end with salvation. God has more unmerited favour for us because we need His grace for functioning in the world. Look at several examples of grace. Paul pleaded with the Lord three times asking Him to remove his weakness. The Lord answered, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9). A verse I have quoted for years when I face a challenging situation, And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed (2Co 9:8). We get strength through grace; You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus (2 Tim 2:1). We receive gifts of the Spirit by grace: Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us . . . Rom 12:6). Who I am in Christ comes through grace: But by the grace of God I am what I am (1Co 15:10).
As we grow in grace and knowledge our faith increases, the fruits of the Holy Spirit grow, and our love increases. Jesus told His disciples, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (Joh 13:35). Jesus knew he was telling them something beyond their human ability. For me and I’m sure for many of you, loving some people is far past my capability. When I encounter those individuals who are impossible to love, I need the grace of the Lord working in me. I’ve experienced this numerous times when my flesh was raging yet, to my surprise, I found myself loving them with the love of Christ. In addition, we need the grace of faith. Throughout our life as a growing believer we encounter situations that stretch our faith and at times beyond our capacity for believing the promises of the Bible. That’s when the Holy Spirit has a gift of grace for you—For to one is given . . . faith by the same Spirit (1Corin 12:8, 9). Paul appears to indicate that even the faith necessary for salvation is by grace. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God (Eph 2:8).
Physically when we reach our genetically programed height, we stop growing. I’ve been six foot tall since my mid-twenties and haven’t grown another inch. In contrast, we are to grow spiritually as long as we live. Often people stop growing when they can look at a mature Christian and think, “I don’t have to put forth anymore effort. I’m as tall spiritually as they are.” Problem with that premise, our scale isn’t the best Christian we know. It is the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ (Eph 3:13).
Another element in the definition of grace is the joy and pleasure the giver receives. God is joyful and delighted when we receive a gift of His unmerited favour. Grace doesn’t end at death. Paul writes that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:7).
Sustaining Word for the Week: What kind of growth in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is taking place in our life? He has more gifts of His grace.