Specific Spiritual Growth
A guest post by Chad Ramsey.
At the end of his second New Testament letter, the apostle Peter challenged his audience to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18, NKJV).
Although this statement is often cited to encourage spiritual development, we rarely examine the two specific areas of growth Peter mentions. His admonition is neither general nor vague.
We are to grow in “grace”; we are to grow in “knowledge.”
Grow in Grace.
The reference to “grace” in 2 Peter 3:18 is one of two found in the letter (cf. 2 Peter 1:2).
Brother Guy N. Woods believed the term “is here used to sum up all the favor of God, which favor increases toward us as we advance in stature as his children” (193).
It seems Peter is indicating the role grace plays in our development. It facilitates, or makes possible, our spiritual growth. We grow because of God’s unmerited favor. Thomas R. Schreiner explained,
“Grace is the foundation of the lives of believers and is entirely God’s gift, and yet believers are exhorted to grow in it, to be nurtured in it, and to be strengthened by it. Grace is not a static reality. Believers are to grow in it until the day they die” (401).
As we seek to grow in grace, we should never forget God’s grace makes salvation possible (Ephesians 2:8; Titus 2:11).
Those who seek to grow in grace will exhibit appreciation for God’s favor by living in a way that avoids the harshness so common in society. Kindness will replace meanness. Graciousness will abound.
Grow in Knowledge.
The term translated “knowledge” in 2 Peter 3:18 is found two other times in the epistle (cf. 2 Peter 1:5, 6). In those verses, Peter urged his audience to add knowledge to the other Christian graces mentioned in verses 5-7. Each time the term is used in the letter, spiritual growth or development is encouraged.
In 2 Peter 3:18, the emphasis is on growing in “knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” If we gain knowledge about a variety of things but do not know Christ, we have failed. Paul understood this point and told the Corinthians:
“For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).
It is also why Paul told the Philippians:
“But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:7-8).
How to Grow Spiritually.
What can we do to facilitate spiritual growth?
We can focus more upon God’s grace and God’s Son and less upon ourselves. Spiritual growth is not measured by how we compare to those around us (cf. 2 Corinthians 10:12). This is a point the Pharisee in Luke 18:11-12 failed to understand.
Ironically, it is instead based upon dependence, not independence. The more we rely upon God, the more we will grow. Unlike the physical and mental growth we observe in our children as they mature, the kind of spiritual growth Peter encourages in 2 Peter 3:18 requires us to become more dependent upon God, not less.
Schreiner, Thomas R. 1, 2 Peter, Jude (The New American Commentary). Vol. 37. Nashville: B&H, 2003.
Woods, Guy N. A Commentary on the New Testament Epistles. Nashville: Gospel Advocate, 1991.
Chad Ramsey preaches for the Gloster Street Church of Christ in Tupelo, Mississippi. You can access their Bible classes and Chad’s sermons on Gloster Street’s YouTube page.
Chad was - and still is - “my preacher” from when I spent my high school and early college years at Gloster Street. I’m thankful to be able to share some of his writings with you.
This was good. Thank you.
I asked God for this today. Thank you <3