Day 15

Growth in the Faith

from the 1 & 2 Peter reading plan


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).

 

Post Comments (30)

30 thoughts on "Growth in the Faith"

  1. Jennifer Anapol says:

    I pray that God would make me aware of the fruit that He is producing in my life.

  2. Kelsey Brown says:

    I think the Holy Spirit is already leading you. We know we cannot be unequally yolked. I pray He leads and comforts you in your decision, Audrey.

  3. Jamila Isbell says:

    AUDREYE L – Continue to pray that the Lord gives you wisdom and clarity in your situation. I absolutely feel you both need to go through a pre-marriage counseling. Find a Christian marriage counselor. I know it’s easier said than done. Many men feel counsel is unnecessary. Pray about this and continue to seek advice from a mentor, someone who’s already gone down the path you’re about to go down.

  4. Emily Plemmons says:

    Having knowledge of Christ is so important. Sure, I’ve grown up in church, Christian schools and etc. but that does not mean I have a deep rooted knowledge as I should. Which is why I’ve started this Bible study. To dig in to the Word of God and plant my roots deep in what he says and the stories of him, his followers, those that loved him and hated him. It’s all so important. We must have an understanding of God to know him, to grow in him and most importantly to bear fruit in our faith. Amen.

  5. Steph C says:

    “May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us” (2 Peter 1:2-3). His power gives me ALL THINGS pertaining to life and godliness. He gives me life – eternal life that began when I first believed. He calls me to holiness – every moment of every day. And He enables me to obey. How? By knowing Him. Seeking Him. Knowing Him. I am transformed into His image. This is love! ❤️

  6. Linda Ryan says:

    I’m a work in progress have an purposing to read every day. “She Reads Truth” is helping do just that.

  7. Amanda MarieO'Malley says:

    Grace and peace that’s what gets me through everyday

  8. Courtney says:

    Veronica-
    The way I correlate it, is it talks about how Jesus predicts Peter’s death. Peter references this in 2 Peter 1:14. To me, that’s how the two tie together, when Peter talks about putting aside his earthly tent. Hope this helps!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *