2 Peter 3:18 – But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory now and for ever. (KJV)
Have you ever met anyone that does not grow physically? It would be very strange to see a person years later that remained exactly the same. All of us grow physically and pass through the normal aging process.
The Apostle Peter who wrote this Epistle went through a tremendous change himself. Formerly a fisherman, probably not educated, rough in manners and physically strong. When God the Father revealed to him that Jesus is the Christ, the first thing that changed was his name, from Simon – to Peter, which in Hebrew means “rock”. Then the changes in his character, probably his manners, his intellect, his ability to eloquently address multitudes of people about Jesus.
When Jesus touches our lives, our mind, the changes in us happen from the inside out. The Holy Spirit in us starts a process that affects us and causes us to grow. We are not supposed to remain the same as we were before knowing him. We are urged, commanded to grow. It is not a suggestion, but a command.
“Grow in grace”. When we grow in grace we are transformed, it changes our behavior, we become more gracious, kind, considerate, loving. “And in the knowledge”, not intellectual knowledge, but knowledge as in knowing someone, knowing Jesus, having a personal and intimate relationship with our Lord.
So, when we “grow in grace and in knowledge”, these two side by side, we experience a progressive spiritual growth. No longer spiritual babies, but strong and resilient men and women of God.
