This is Peter's final exhortation in 2 Peter. "Grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18).
An apostle’s final words are vastly important and to be taken to heart.
Due to the seriousness of the warnings that Peter gave in this epistle, his final appeal ought to be written in golden letters and heeded by every Christian.
Peter was worried about his readers falling. He was fearful of the influence of false teachers on the hearts and minds of people.
"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 own stedfastness."
Peter's answer was "grow " (2Pe 3:17).
Growth is such a necessary thing for all Christians. Old and young. Whatever stops growing will die.
The life of faith by which we live must grow to be genuine. Growth presupposes that there is life to begin with. Lifeless things don’t grow – flowers and even weeds grow.
If the new nature in us will not grow the old nature will. Then we will grow into wicked and worldly empty professors of Christianity - a shame to the name of Christ and His church instead of an example of believers.
The sin nature in us would engage in the same lusts as these evil teachers - who follow their own lusts of the flesh seeking gratification in the body, greed and money.
So, it is fitting that Peter ends his book with this final plea, "GROW IN GRACE AND THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE LORD." It is all positive. It is the right thing to do.
We need to grow. We need to develop in all the graces of a godly Christian. But this is more than habits and correct behavior. This is Christian living. It is Christ’s life in us and us living in fellowship with our Lord.
We need high and holy views of our blessed Saviour Himself. Do we know the Lord as we should? Will we ever know Him sufficiently?
Surely, so much of the poverty in Christian living is due to our lack of knowing the grace that is in Christ.
The Lord’s disciples were slow of learning; we are no better. We have a long way to go to be effective servants of Christ.
But do not be discouraged for the growth of living things happens slowly, and silently. Some day it will hit you that you are different and you are changing. Then you will find that you make decisions differently. God's grace is abounding in you while at first it may not be noticeable. Seeds are growing even they are planted under the ground and don't show for a while.
Enjoy listening to this audio message!
