Growth in the Faith
Open Your Bible
2 Peter 1:1-15, John 21:17-19, Titus 3:4-7
BY Rebecca Faires
At first, Peter just doesn’t get it. After all, he’s the guy who cut off a guard’s ear in the garden and denied Christ three times before His crucifixion. Peter was quick to speak, but understanding took years. The mystery of the Messiah was a true mystery to him. He didn’t fully understand Christ’s purpose, or how He was truly God.
But in this letter, it’s clear Peter finally understands. Here he makes one of the clearest declarations of Christ’s divinity found in the New Testament, calling Him “our God and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1). After Christ’s death and resurrection, Peter finally grasps who Christ really is.
Winston Churchill once quipped, “Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing has happened.” Ah, Winston, how do you know us so well? When we see the truth of Christ as Messiah and Savior, it’s sure easier to dust ourselves off and hurry on like we never caught a glimpse of the truth. The truth was hard for Peter, and it’s still hard for us to understand today.
But truth of this saving knowledge of Jesus is central to Peter’s letter. So what does he mean by “the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord”? (v.2). This knowledge is supposed to multiply grace and peace to us. Saving knowledge of God leads us to grow in our faith. God’s grace is the source of all godly living, thus God’s grace results in godliness.
Peter’s list of godly qualities does not detail the prerequisites for salvation, but the natural outpouring of a heart that seeks knowledge of God. It’s possible to be Christians and still be “ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord” if we aren’t increasing in the qualities of godliness (v.8, ESV). Even with the saving knowledge of Christ, we still need His grace. That’s why Peter prays, “May grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord” (v.2).
Then Peter enjoins believers to “make every effort to confirm your calling and election, because if you do these things you will never stumble” (v.10). This is the proper activity of the Christian life. We are to know Christ, and by knowing Him, to grow in Him and abide in Him.
Seek Christ. Don’t squander His grace. All who abide in Him will bear fruit. If your faith is not bearing fruit, something is wrong. Many have deceived themselves, thinking their faith was genuine. Others have stunted their own growth in the faith by negligence and sloth. The answer to either peril is the same: run to Christ, whose “divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (v.3).
30 thoughts on "Growth in the Faith"
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I have always believed that I had a lot of knowledge about christ. But the one thing I always missed was the understanding. I knew but i never understood in all my 23 years. My boyfriend and I have different religions. Not very different but we both know we love and want to serve God. Not fight about what we think is wrong about what someone 3lse believes but to pray when we dont have the answer and to try and help one another out. I belive no matter what religion or how different two people can be. Its all in Gods hands. All you have to do is pray about it. He will do the rest.
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Can someone comment on how the passage in John is relevant? I see that it draws on the state of Peter’s faith, but other than that I feel like I’m missing the point.
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Grace and peace multiplied through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord…
Some days are harder than others.
Goodness, knowledge, self-control, endurance, godliness, brotherly affection and love
In Your strength alone.
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Audrey L,
I was your fiancé when I met my now husband. I was raised in the Catholic Church, I suffered physical and emotional abuse from my biological father, I lived a sin filled life through most of high school and college. I flat out denounced the existence of God from my sophomore year in high school, even after meeting my husband in college. He didn’t try to talk me out of my disbelief; he just continued to show me his faith. One day he took me to talk with his pastor at the pastor’s home. He asked me why I didn’t believe in God, and I gave him all the reasons I had, most of which centered around my abusive father. He just asked and listened. Finally, he said, “you’re disappointed in God.” When he said those words, something in me just clicked. Yes. I was so disappointed. I can’t even explain the elation and joy I felt when I finally admitted that. I certainly didn’t become an instant Christian. But I did start attending church with my husband occasionally, and started rebuilding my relationship with God through prayer. Now I can’t go a day without being in this app, doing a study of some sort. I wasn’t taught how to understand scripture in my youth- I was taught more you have to be good or you’re bad in God’s eyes. Don’t give up on him yet. I’m not saying it will be an easy road, but it would probably really help if you could get him to talk to an outside party instead of talking to you. -
One of the pastors was talking about tracks that used to be given out. There was one that showed a guy seeing scenes from his life in Heaven. Most of this guys scenes were bad. Thank God that Jesus came and we can repent. His Precious Blood covers my sins. He said that he believes that God wants the believer to be able to see other types of scenes. Like rescue mission scenes where we told people about Jesus. He gave us a blank movie marquee. He asked what would our spiritual life movie sign say. Thank God that even if it hasn’t been that great, we can change. His mercies are new every morning. That’s a good question to ponder and make changes to honor God and our Savior today.
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Thank you for the encouragement. And thankful for this place to find solace and community. :)
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I’d google Tim Kellers remarks on being married to someone who doesn’t have the same kind of faith you do.
Speaking from experience, being married to someone who is an extreme baby Christian who bears no fruit is incredibly isolating and makes a ton of room for sin to creep in on both sides. If you plan on growing in your faith and relationship with Jesus Christ, you are going to want a godly man to walk beside you, scratch that, LEAD you. I know the implications of this will be very scary and sad for you right now, but better to face it now than after you are married. Again, I am speaking from experience… I don’t know you or your situation… I’m basically writing this to my younger self. It has been a very sad road in which I have had to lean on Christ every step. -
It is not a promise that you will find the “right” guy but I know that God will bless you and enrich your life as you first seek Him and His guidance in your life, including the life partner that would allow you and encourage you to grown in your relationship with Christ.
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Is my life bearing the fruit of my faith? Does my life reflect my love for my Savior AND my desire to serve and honor Him? OR….Am I useless and unfruitful in the knowledge of my Lord and Savior?
Lord Jesus, forgive me when I am weak and not showing the world around me the proof of my love for You. Open my eyes to see where I can be more fruitful. Thank you for your unending grace and mercy…Lord Jesus, let them see You in me today. -
Jessica, hope this helps in some way. Forgive me if my answer isn’t what you are asking. Saving knowledge is understanding and believing in Jesus. His sacrifice, giving His life, His blood to redeem us. It is all wrapped up with His grace for us, love we couldn’t earn and don’t deserve. I believe the knowledge of God comes through spending time in His Word, in prayer, speaking and learning from and with others who dwell in His grace. He reveals Himself Also He meets us as we love others with His love.
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