Grow up Christians

2 Peter 3:18 "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen."

We are commanded to grow :18. Many have not grown from the time of new birth. Let me remind you that salvation is not completed by the new birth; it is there begun to be manifested in our lives. It is sad that so many have not moved on from that initial experience. Sin starves the soul and prohibits its growth. It is hard to tell if some people have been saved at all. They are so much like they were from the beginning. We should put off the old man and put on the new.

Grow in grace :18. What does that mean? It means to grow or increase in true religion. James 1:27 tells us what true religion is. "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." It is also to grow or Increase in the Image and Favor of God. See Rom. 8:29, "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." We are predestinated to be conformed to His likeness, but how much do you look like Jesus in your life? It is furthermore to grow or increase in the knowledge of Jesus Christ :18. In our text, the knowledge of Jesus Christ is tied to the growing in grace. Surely you can tell me of His being born in Bethlehem in the Spring of the year, and that He was laid in a manger, because there was no room for Him in the inn. How much more can you tell me about Him?

How can I grow in that grace and knowledge? It is the work of God to increase our faith, love, hope, and self denial, all of which is needed in our Christian growth. He does that as we read, study, and practice the word of God. One must also mortify the deeds of the body, Rom 8:13, "...but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." That is quit living to satisfy the desires of the flesh. Live to please God. We must also recollect past experiences while looking to our Lord's Accomplishment at Calvary. That does not mean dwell on the past so you can brag on what you have done. Rather it is remember what God has done for you in the past with a view of what Christ did on the cross and dwell on what will He do for us in the future. Let us also grow in the knowledge of Him :18. From Genesis through The Revelation 66 books glovetail together to give us information about Jesus. Let us never grow weary of learning about our Blessed Savior.