“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.”
2 Peter 3:18 KJV
“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”
Jude 1:20-21 KJV
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV
“Growing in grace” ultimately means growing in God.
1.) How do you “grow in God?”
2.) What’s the purpose of “growing in God?”
How do you “grow in God?”
To grow in God you must eat, digest Him (God)! So how do we do this on this side of earth? Through His word.
“But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
Matthew 4:4 KJV
The more of God’s word we read over and over, hear over and over, understand and then apply to our lives, the more we grow in Him.
So if God is the Word:
John 1:1 says “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
John 1:1 KJV
And Holy Spirit/Holy Ghost is God:
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
John 14:26 KJV
Then having both of those should cause us to be more like God.
So if we are more like God, what attributes should others see from us?
How do we get strength when we are weak?
How do we get comfort, when we are in distress?
How do we get contentment, when we feel like we don’t have enough?
How do we get peace, when we are anxious or feeling depressed?
How do we get power, when we feel powerless or like we have no control?
How do we love, when we would rather hate?
How do we get healing, when we feel broken?
How do we forgive, when we would rather have vengeance?
How do we get faith, when we would rather not believe?
These are ALL attributes of God or examples/evidence of having God or being like God.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 KJV
So now we know how to be more like God, what’s the purpose of being more like God?
What’s the purpose of “growing in God” or being more like God?
The more Word you get (God), the more Holy Ghost you get (God), the more God cleanses you or gets rid of your sin nature. The less sin, the more righteous you are and the closer you get to being holy.
And why would you desire to be holy? Because without being holy you will not make Heaven or see God.
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:”
Hebrews 12:14 KJV
Because what’s the point of professing Christianity or that you are a Believer if Heaven isn’t your end game!?
Here's a small snippet of my Pastor in Sunday school speaking on "growing in grace."