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.
II Peter 3:18 KJV
As much as a mother loves her newborn infant, she desires for that baby to grow up; to one day be a mature adult.
I Peter 2:2 says, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” God also wants His spiritual babes to grow into mature believers, and just like with babies, the growth process starts with milk.
The spiritual development of God’s children is actually very similar to the physical development of an infant. They both start on milk and if they are growing properly, it’s not long before they both start exercising their muscles. While a baby exercises physically, learning to sit up and crawl and then walk, a believer exercises spiritually, learning to obey and trust God, strengthening his faith.
And while the growth process can be difficult at times, both physically and spiritually, God provides everything we need to grow spiritually – His Word, His Holy Spirit, His church, and His children – other believers who disciple us, encourage us, pray for us, and fellowship with us.
God instructs us to grow in grace. That means it doesn’t happen by accident. We have to accept some responsibility. But how exactly do we take those first baby steps, strengthen our spiritual muscles, and begin to grow in grace?
- We must walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11 says, “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”
- We must purpose in our hearts to cleave unto the Lord. Acts 11: 23 says, “Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.”
- We must humble ourselves. I Peter 5:5 “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”
- We must minister to others as good stewards of God’s grace. I Peter 4:10 says, “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
Just like a father wants his baby to grow up, our Heavenly Father wants His babies to grow up in Christ in every area of their Christian life.
Ephesians 4:15 says, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”