growing in grace

[DLL]

i know what the bible says about being saved BY GRACE. but would anyone care to elaborate on what the verse that says " but GROW on grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and saviour"; means and practical applications?

[Reg]

i know what the bible says about being saved BY GRACE. but would anyone care to elaborate on what the verse that says " but GROW on grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and saviour"; means and practical applications?
Hi Donna,

I'll take a crack at that. :)

2Pet 3:18 But grow in grace and [in] knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him the glory, both now and to [the] day of eternity. Amen. (MKJV)

"Grow in grace". How we may so grow is shown in "#1Pe 2:2".

"[B]And [in] the knowledge of our Lord". The two kinds of growth must keep equal pace. He who grows in the one will grow in the other.

My personal view is, we can grow in grace towards others. Legalism is at the opposite extreme where there is no grace. We live in a world of UN-grace. We demand justice. Grace makes no demands but those of love and a forgiving, understanding spirit.

I know how hard that can be sometime, especially when we feel slighted or misunderstood. We need to allow each other more room and not be too quick. It is important to go to your brother/sister if we have been offended. It's going to happen again. How we handle it is what's important. That's were Christianity comes into play where we can exercise forgiveness with the help & the grace of God.

Some quotes from the book "What's So Amazing About Grace" by Philip Yancey

There is only one thing the world cannot do. It cannot offer grace.

I would rather convey grace than explain it.

Grace is not about finishing last or first; it is about not counting.

God dispenses gifts - not wages.

In the realm of grace, the word deserve does not even apply.

Grace costs nothing for the recipient but everything for the giver.

Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical
force with soul force.

No matter how it looks at any given point in history, the gates guarding the powers of evil will not withstand an assault by grace.

Christianity has always insisted that the cross we bear precedes the crown we wear.






(Gill's commentary)
Ver. 18. "But grow in grace" In the gifts of grace, which, under
a divine blessing, may be increased by using them: gifts neglected
decrease, but stirred up and used, are improved and increase. And
though men are to be thankful for their gifts, and be contented with
them, yet they may lawfully desire more, and in the use of means
seek an increase of them, which may be a means of preserving
themselves, and others, from the error of the wicked. Moreover, by
"grace" may be meant internal grace. The work of grace is gradual;
it is like a grain of mustard seed, or like seed cast into the
earth, which springs up, it is not known how, first the blade, then
the ear, then the full corn in the ear; saints are first babes, and
from children they grow to young men, and from young men to fathers.
There is such a thing as growth in grace, in this sense; every
grace, as to its act and exercise, is capable of growing and
increasing; faith may grow exceedingly, hope abound, love increase,
and patience have its perfect work, and saints may grow more humble,
holy, and self-denying: this is indeed God's work, to cause them to
grow, and it is owing to his grace; yet saint, should show a concern
for this, and make use of means which God owns and blesses for this
purpose, such as prayer, attending on the word, and looking over the
promises of God, for an increase of faith; recollecting past
experiences, and looking to the death and resurrection of Christ for
the encouragement of hope, and to the love of God and Christ, for
the stirring up of love to both, and to the saints; considering the
sufferings of Christ, the desert of sin, and the glories of another
world, to promote patience and self-denial, and the pattern of
Christ, to excite to humility; though "grace" may also intend the
Gospel, the knowledge of which is imperfect, and may be increased in
the use of means, and which is a special preservative against error,
a growth in which saints should be concerned for:

"and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ"; of his
person, office, and grace, than which nothing is more valuable, and
is to be preferred to everything; it is the principal thing in
grace, and is the beginning and pledge of eternal life, and will
issue in it; for an increase of which, and a growth in it, the word
and ordinances are designed; and nothing can be a greater security
against error than an experimental growing knowledge of Christ. The
Syriac version adds, "and of God the Father"; and so some copies
read:

"to him [be] glory, both now, and for ever"; or "to the day of
eternity"; that is, to Christ, who is truly God, or otherwise such a
doxology would not belong to him, be ascribed the glory of deity, of
all divine perfections; the glory of all his offices and work as
Mediator; the glory of man's salvation; and the glory of all that
grace, and the growth of it, together with the knowledge of himself,
which saints have from him; and that both in this world, and that
which is to come.

"Amen"; so be it.

[molehills]

My favorite book on that topic is The Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges. It's a great place to get started.

[Jerry]

i know what the bible says about being saved BY GRACE. but would anyone care to elaborate on what the verse that says " but GROW on grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and saviour"; means and practical applications?
Dear Donna,,,
Now there is a verse "They" can use to "Beat your Brains In" with :eek: I have actually heard "Whole Sermans" on it :rolleyes: Many Preachers would have you believe that "Grace" is some deep profoundly spiritual concept,,,,,,IT'S NOT !!!! The word "Grace" means unmerited favor.Donna,,,,if you are in compliance with (John 3/16),,,,,,,You have the gift of Gods unmerited favor,,,,IT IS JUST THAT SIMPLE. :D I'll paraphrase the verse for you and make it's meaning real clear for you,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Forgive yourself,God has ;)
Love Jerry

[DLL]

thanks jerry, and everybody else too. i have a book coming called grace plus nothing . hope i understand it!!lol

[Jerry]

Dear Donna,,,
I reviewed Regs post as well as my own when I saw you had responded,,,and should make this point.Although our posts(Regs&Mine) appear to conflict,they really don't.My post is focused on "Grace Itself" Regs is focused on "Grace" as a gift,which is a little more abstract..Is "Grace" a gift???? certinly,but However: Grace is a gift of attitude of God,and isn't a gift in the same sence that the "Functional" gifts are.,,,,,,ie; God grants us "Gifts" because of His attitude of "Grace" ;)
Love Jerry

[molehills]

I've been thinking about it and I thought of some other great books. Anything by Brennan Manning is great, but I'm particularly fond of The Ragamuffin Gospel. Brennan Manning tends to lead you to Larry Crabb though I like Manning better, Crabb's book The Pressure's Off was a key book for me. These books are evangelical. I don't know what direction you are coming from.

[DLL]

Well Molehills
It Seems To Me That Whenever I Question Things That Are Going On Or Have A Negative Comment About Something I Dont Like, I Am Told Or It Is Suggested That I Just Need To Grow In Grace. And I Was Wondering If That Meant The Same Thing As Conformity.

[molehills]

not in the real world LOL

Growing in grace to me means growing in the knowledge of how much God loves me and that nothing I do can make him love me more or less. The biggest idea I ever had was--the only thing I need is for God to love me, and the only thing I'm guaranteed is that He does. Isn't that cool? The only thing you have to have you are guaranteed. When you wrap your brain around it suddenly you have all this freedom and courage. To me, growing in grace is growing in that certainty.

Some people when they say "you need to grow in grace" in the context that you've just complained about something mean that you need to extend other people the freedom to fail that knowing God loves you has extended to you. However, in the kinds of churches we talk about here they often just mean "Shut up, we are superior to you." People take even our noblest, best and happiest truths and use them as clubs.

[Reg]

not in the real world LOL

snip

Some people when they say "you need to grow in grace" in the context that you've just complained about something mean that you need to extend other people the freedom to fail that knowing God loves you has extended to you. However, in the kinds of churches we talk about here they often just mean "Shut up, we are superior to you." People take even our noblest, best and happiest truths and use them as clubs.
Exactly molehills.

It's like the post about Triggers. The Bible and even good phrases can be triggers when used as a tool to control you or act superior. Just like the Pharisees did. :mad:

[molehills]

It's so sad to me. What does Jesus think about all this awfulness? How can He stand the way we take His very sacrafice and foul it by using it as a weapon? Doesn't anybody care about what breaks Jesus' heart? Jesus loves us no matter what we do or wear.

[jane]

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE:


molehills;

I don't even pretend to know what Jesus thinks but I am more and more convinced each day that it is close to the scripture that talks about an abomination in the Holy place.

Saying things in His name; looks like a form of blasphemy to me.

[jane]

Donna,

Well Molehills
It Seems To Me That Whenever I Question Things That Are Going On Or Have A Negative Comment About Something I Dont Like, I Am Told Or It Is Suggested That I Just Need To Grow In Grace. And I Was Wondering If That Meant The Same Thing As Conformity.__________________


yes. And if you heard it the way we did, it means growing closer to God; Hearing His voice which lines up with what they are hearing---oh, yes I guess that is another way of saying conformity....

Love ya,

Jane

doesn't it seem like the more you realize, the more your eyes are open and then you realize more and then your eyes are open even more...the lighter gets bighter and the truth becomes shocking.

[Kerrin]

Some of the best books I've read about "Grace", examples of "Grace", are by Philip Yancey!!

Especially, "What's so Amazing About Grace?" !!!! :)
All his books are exceptional and humbling, for me at least!
Love
Kerrin ;)

[molehills]

Yancey's Disappointment with God kept my faith together, and gave me a new way of understanding Job. He's a great writer. I loved Soul Survivor. One of my goals after we move is to start a Soul Survivor book group. I discovered so many great authors through that book. Church, Why Bother didn't do much for me, but I really wasn't in the mood for that one. ;)