Friday March 24th, 2023
Meditate on: 2 Peter 3:18
« You must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. »
Read: 1 Peter 2:9-12 GNT
9 But you are the chosen race, the King’s priests, the holy nation, God’s own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into his own marvelous light.
10 At one time you were not God’s people, but now you are his people; at one time you did not know God’s mercy, but now you have received his mercy.
11 I appeal to you, my friends, as strangers and refugees in this world! Do not give in to bodily passions, which are always at war against the soul.
12 Your conduct among unbelievers be so good that when they accuse you of being evildoers, they will have to recognize your good deeds and so praise God on the Day of his coming.
Message:
The word grace connotes God’s benevolence to the undeserving.
Grace empowers Christians to do both the ordinary and extraordinary (2 Corinthians 9:8).
However, if you do not grow in grace after being born again, making it to heaven may become increasingly difficult.
This is why peter advice Christians to grow in grace as seen in today’s memory verse.
When anyone stays at the level of salvation and fails to grow, there is a great possibility of backsliding.
For this reason, Paul rebuked the church in Corinth. Despite being saved, they didn’t aspire to holy living (1 Corinthians 3:1-3).
What are the effects of growing in grace?
According to today’s memory verse, steadily growing in grace helps us avoid lust and worldliness.
When a Christian allows such into his/her life, there will be a gradual spiritual decline which is very dangerous.
To avoid this decline, we must follow Peter’s counsel- desire the sincere milk of the word ( 1 Peter 2:2).
We must also strive to keep our salvation, working it out with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12)- not in riotous or careless living, but in sobriety and modesty.
When we grow in grace, it will not be difficult to live in obedience to God’s word.
« ……It is not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the LORD of hosts. »
Zechariah 4:6 NKJV
The benefit of godly living is further stressed in Zechariah 4:7 GNT
« Obstacles as great as mountains will disappear before Zerubbabel. You will rebuild the Temple, and as you put the last stone in place, the people will shout, ‘Beautiful, beautiful!’. »
A life of grace will do wonders.
Today, I adapt an Apostolic prayer for you:
« The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you” (1 Corinthians 16:23), now and forever more. Amen.»
Prayer point: Father, give me a hunger for Your word. Cause me to grow in the grace of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Author: Bishop Enoch. A. Adeboye.
Edited by Naomie
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