Ever-increasing Grace · saturday, february 11th by Pastor Chris

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen (2 Peter 3:18).

Grace is the outward reflection of the inner workings of the power of God in your life. It’s a reflection of the beauty and influence of the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God in you, producing acceptability, advantage, favour, joy, liberality, gift and pleasure. Every Christian has received grace in abundance (Romans 5:17); but the measure or degree to which it’s seen and reflected through you is dependent on you.

You have a responsibility to see to it that the grace of God upon your life increases in greater measure. 2 Peter 1:2shows you how the grace of God can be multiplied in your life; it’s through the knowledge of God and the Lord Jesus: "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord." As the knowledge of God and His Word increase in your life, you’ll walk in increased grace. Your testimony then becomes like that of the Apostles in the early Church: "And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all" (Act 4:33).

The Greek word translated "grow" in our opening verse is "auxano" and it means to give increase to, or enlarge. Notice that the Bible didn’t say for you to pray to God for increased grace, rather it shows you how to "enlarge" or "give increase" to the grace that’s already been made available to you in Christ. You do this through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

The Greek word for knowledge in 2 Peter 1:2 is "epignosis." It means full knowledge that transcends mere awareness; an esoteric knowledge—a discernment or full understanding of God and of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Recognize, percieve, and become fully acquainted with God and His living Word—Jesus Christ—and you’ll walk in ever-increasing grace. That way, the grace of God that brings acceptability, advantage, beauty and excellence will function in you in ever-increasing measure.

Confession

I’m growing in grace and in the knowledge of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The grace of God that brings acceptability, advantage, favour, joy, liberality, gift, pleasure and beauty is working in me in an ever-inreasing measure. Amen!

f u r t h e r s t u d y: Act 20:32; Romans 5:17