Grow In The Grace & Knowledge Of Christ (IV)

2Pet 3:10-18

 

What is meant by, Ògrow in the grace & knowledge of ChristÓ?

á      This exhortation is addressed only to born again Christians. It is impossible to grow & develop Christ-like character unless you are first born againÉ grow implies life.

á      For the new life of Christ within to grow, the old man (sin nature) must die & yield control. (Gal 2:20;Mk 8:34; 2Cor 5:17)

o     Spiritual growth is gradual & progressiveÉ not a sudden one-time event. (Phil 2:12)

á      To grow in grace involves resting in ChristÕs completed work for our salvation & sanctification. The work is done, the price paidÉ we can rest (grow) in His grace.

á      To grow in knowledge is to know ChristÉ not just knowledge of Him. (Phil 3:8-11)

 

How to grow in the grace & knowledge of Christ.

á      Direct effort to make yourself grow does not work. You must approach growth indirectlyÉ because itÕs an essential result of living.

o     Growth is a by-product of trusting Christ, resting & yielding to Him, & doing His will.

á      You cannot make yourself grow, but you can observe certain conditions which promote growth. Following are essential conditions necessary to grow in grace & knowledge:

á      Scripture & prayer: Crave milk of the Word that by it you may grow up (1Pet 2:2)É to grow in the grace & knowledge of Christ, you must pray & feed on the Bible daily.

á      Attendance to the preaching of the Word: Food for the soul that enables growth.

á      Meditation: Let the Word examine your soul to see if you are in the faith.

á      Avoid everything that is harmful to life & growth of soul: (books, TV, movies, music)

á      Exercise: To growÉ faith must be exercisedÉ Christian living (2Pet 1:5-7) & work.

á      Rest: We are justified by faith & we live by faithÉ rest & trust In His completed work.

á      Discipline: We must be regular in exercise of all the aboveÉ thereÕs no spiritual holiday.

 

How to measure growth in your Christian life

á      God has given us the gift of new life. Certain conditions are essential to the preservation & increase of that life. If the essential conditions are being met, spiritual growth is inevitable.

á      You must inspect yourself & fruit of your life frequently to validate growth. (2Cor 13:5)

á      Must avoid unhealthy self-examination & introspection.

o     Keep focus on the glory of GodÉ grow in grace not just to grow, but for GodÕs glory.

o     Constantly remind yourself that justification is by grace thru faith alone. (Eph 2:8)

á      Self examination will cause you to feel like youÕre not a Christian at all. We can never make ourselves righteous before GodÉ weÕre saved only by the Cross of Christ.

á      When we examine ourselves & find failure, sin, & unworthiness, & if we started with doctrine of justification by faithÉ our sins only serve to drive us back more to Christ.

á      Result of healthy self examination will always bring us back to ChristÕs cross.

á      Two things you should not do if you want to measure your growth:

o     Do not compare yourself to others who are worse off (your opinion) than yourself.

o     Do not measure your growth in terms of activityÉ what you do. Much activity is not necessarily a sign of growthÉ a child is more active than an adult.

 

The one true standard for the measurement of growth is the Bible.

á      By looking at the NT Christians & teaching we can learn what it means to be mature.

á      Above all, we must look to Jesus Himself for standard of holiness & maturity. (Phil 2:3)

á      Litmus test for true growth is likeness to Christ & conformity to His life. (Rm 8:29)

o     ChristÕs love (agape) manifested in & thru you is essential sign of growth. (Jn 13:35)

á      NT also gives characteristics of an immature ChristianÉ one who is not growing.

á      Immature Christian is:

o     Unstable (Eph 4:14)É easily depressed, frightened, or discouraged.

o     Lacks understanding (2Pet 3:16)É falls victim to latest false teaching.

o     Too self-interested, too ready to call attention to & talk about self. (1Cor 3:1-3)

o     Likes to talk about what theyÕve doneÉ even proud of his humility.

o     Interested in experiences & results more than relationship

o     More interested in appearance, manner of speaking, & personality of speaker. (1Cor 3)

o     Loves what is entertaining, spectacular, & excitingÉ avoids quiet meditation.

o     Satisfied with his spiritual position & growth.

á      Mature & growing Christian is:

o     Opposite of the above characteristics.

o     Increasingly aware of his own sinfulness, unworthiness, & weakness, & aware that H Spirit is working thru those very things.

o     More concerned about being delivered from his sin nature than a particular sin.

o     Willing & humble servant increasingly yielded to GodÕs will & seeking His glory.

o     Increasingly a vessel of ChristÕs love & lifeÉ touching others for Him.

o     Convinced it is no longer himself, but Christ who lives in & thru him.

o     One who desires the Giver more than His gifts.

o     Fully surrendered so as to be nothingÉ that Christ may be all.

o     At restÉ increasingly trusting Christ completely regardless of circumstances.

á      Key questions to ask yourself to determine measure of your spiritual growth:

o     Do you love God more that you did?

o     Do you desire GodÕs glory more than anything else?

o     Once it was the giftÉ now it is the Giver.

 

Father, may my main objective & desire be to know Christ more, & to be more like HimÉ for Your glory. Amen.