But Grow in Grace

2 Peter 3:17-18 - “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your steadfastness. 

[18] But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.”

The book of Second Peter is a beautiful reminder that our pursuit of spiritual maturity through the study of God's Word is of utmost importance. It provides us with a powerful remedy against false teachings and equips us with an appropriate response to those who would lead us astray. Let us always remember that this pursuit is essential, especially as we await Christ's promised return. to plant seeds of doubt and deception in the minds of immature Christians, they begin to crumble, losing their unique identity founded on faith in the unparalleled person and work of Jesus Christ.

Peter, in his writings, lays great emphasis on the importance of the Word of God as the fundamental means of spiritual growth for Christians. He passionately urges his readers to pursue a profound and intimate understanding of God while encouraging them to manifest their faith through consistent and diligent actions. His words echo the timeless truth that spiritual growth is a process that requires continuous effort, and the Word of God is the key that unlocks the door to a fulfilling and enriched life of faith. 

Peter, one of the most prominent figures in the early Christian church, believed that pursuing a life of righteousness would enable believers to attain a state of inner peace, purity, and blamelessness. He saw this pursuit as a means of pleasing Jesus Christ, the founder of the faith. However, Peter warned that failure to heed his counsel would leave believers vulnerable to the influence of heretics who sought to mislead and deceive them with false teachings. In essence, Peter's exhortations served as a call to action for all Christians to remain vigilant and committed to the truth of God's Word, lest they fall prey to the machinations of those who would lead them astray.

In our personal lives and within the church, conflicts and struggles can arise from someone or something close to us. It could be a strained relationship in a marriage, an unexpected pregnancy of an unwed daughter, or even an abusive relationship with a relative. As believers, we should be mindful of how we may cause friction, whether through relationships or differences in our theological beliefs. 

To prevent discord from tearing us apart, we must know who God is and deeply understand His Word. Knowing God and His teachings is crucial to avoid conflicts and protect our families and churches from division.

As we move into the 21st century, Christians find themselves closer to the Lord's second coming than the initial Christians to whom the epistle was addressed initially. Due to the widespread use of modern forms of mass communication like television and the internet, many believers are aware of the numerous false leaders who claim to be true Christian representatives and how their counterfeit teachings have managed to deceive many who are still growing in their faith. 

Therefore, it is of utmost importance that all Christians remain solidly grounded in the Word of God to differentiate between truth and falsehood easily.

The same guidance for spiritual growth that Peter gave to his fellow believers can be applied to our lives today and ensure that we receive a bountiful reward, as mentioned in 2 Peter 1:10-11. The foundation of our faith will always remain the same - the Word of God that Peter himself preached.

Our Prayer for today:

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the Written Word that continues to empower and instruct us to live and serve according to Your will. But too often, We fail to heed and obey You because of the world's influence. May we find the courage to submit and live according to Your desire to manifest Your Son, Jesus Christ, In us. May we remain mindful That it is only through the hearing of Your Word that our Faith will be strengthened. In Jesus' name. Amen!