Growing in Grace

In this world, all humanity wants to grow. The businessman wants to grow and increase his or her own skillset to grow their own pocketbook or position. The bodybuilder wants to grow his or her muscles to be the strongest that they could possibly be. The scholar wants to grow their knowledge to be the smartest he or she could be. Nobody is truly content with where they are and/or what they have, and the world provides them precisely what they seek after. as Christians, we are warned and encouraged to think carefully about growth, and how to get it.

The Way of the World

“You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:17-18)

In the above scripture there is a contrast, a fork in the road. In between verses 17 and 18 there is a giant “but” (the word, not the anatomical part of the human body). It is in the form of a warning: don’t fall into the deception of the world.

The world is antithetical to the Christian life. It presents itself in forms of higher understanding, greater disciplinary routines, and self-help programs to “improve” the lives of those who follow them. They promise the satisfaction that if we only attain to a certain level of (insert goal, material, or pleasure here) then we will be happy and truly satisfied. But it never does truly satisfy, and the supposad growth never produces the fruit our souls long for. The reason? It’s focus in inward and selfish.

The Way of the Word

The way of the Word is outward focused. To grow in grace and knowledge is to grow to know who Jesus truly is, and how that impacts you personally. Peter used two nouns to describe Him: Lord and Savior.

• Lord – He has ultimate and supreme authority over all creation, for He created it all. He is the judge of all the heavens and the earth, and all are subject to his authority.
• Savior – Before he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven, he made purification for sins by offering his own blood, offering forgiveness and eternal life with him to all who would believe in His name.

The Apostle Paul, arguably one of the most successful scholars and most brilliant minds to walk this side of the world. He had the best education and upbringing among his Jewish contemporaries. But when it came down to all of the worldly growth he achieved, he says one thing. He counts it all as “dung”. All of the knowledge, all of the accolades, all of the clout turned to be worthless. Why?

“For the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord”
– Philippians 3:8

And that’s the goal of the Seminary Student. To know Jesus better, and to serve His Church more sufficiently through His grace. Rooted in Scripture, growing in grace.