Growing in Grace and Knowledge

The Gospel is the word of truth and how that truth takes root and grows in each believer differs greatly. I write that in the context of the truth that there is one Gospel, and only way to God - and that is though Jesus Christ alone. Yet, interview any number of Christians and you'll hear rich and varied testimonies of how the risen Savior has impacted and changed their lives for his glory.

Take John Newton, for example.

After a near-death experience upon a sinking ship, Newton began to come to his senses and turn from the blasphemous life he had been living. He cried out to God from the middle of an ocean with a cry like that of the ravens, indistinguishable and unintelligible. ¹ Yet, the Lord did not hear that cry with disdain and neither does he dismiss the cry of the unbelieving sinner rising from the self-made mess of rebellion. He hears the slightest and simplest, "Lord, help me!" from any man on the precipice of conversion. How merciful is our God, ready to listen to our weak pleas!

Many of us, if not all of us, come into our Christian faith with a less than complete understanding of the rich depths of the Gospel. Belief and understanding don't always accompany each other hand in hand. Just as John outran Peter to the empty tomb, our belief and receiving of Christ can outrun our comprehension of the entirety of what he has done,

Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) ²

But this asynchronistic dynamic does not negate God's faithfulness to us, for all who have received Jesus and believed in him now possess the right of adoption into sonship. ³ He answers those that call upon him for salvation. ⁴ Yet, this does not set aside the fact that where the word of truth, the gospel, is sown, growth happens. Grace, as John Newton wrote, is an operative principle. The Lord does not leave us in our current state but begins a work that he will complete in those who believe. ⁵

Peter wrote to the first century Christians instructing them to stay away from the lies that were circulating throughout their culture and to hold on to the truth,

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. ⁶

The gospel is the word of truth and where that seed is sown, growth will happen for those who receive it with glad and sincere hearts.

Here is the encouragement: growth at times takes time - so do not judge a person by the speed of their maturity, rather consider the direction their life is taking. Growth can be a slow process in the lives of others - and in your own life as well. So here is more encouragement: do not be discouraged at the slow growth in your life, instead pray, for yourself and others, that the gospel you've received and believed in will send its roots deep into your heart and produce a harvest of fruit; pray that the Lord will give you an increased understanding of his grace. ⁷

May it be so for all of us who believe.

References

¹ The Works of John Newton, Volume 1, Danger, &c. in the Voyage from Cape Lopez, p47

² John 20:8-9

³ John 1:12 - Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

⁴ Romans 10:13 - for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

⁵ Philippians 1:6 - being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

⁶ 2 Peter 3:18

⁷ Colossians 1:6 - In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.