Everybody wants to grow. If you ask Christians what they desire most in their spiritual lives, the vast majority will tell you: “I want to grow.”
We want to grow personally. We want to see growth in our families and our churches. The term “Christian growth” has become so common, it’s almost cliche. But what does it actually mean? What does the Bible really teach about growth?
Exposing the Growth Myth
I recently embarked on a study to answer a simple but profound question: Is the concept of “growth” even biblical? I searched the New Testament in the original Greek, seeking to understand the scriptural basis for this ubiquitous idea.
Shockingly, I discovered there is only one instance in the entire New Testament where we are directly commanded to grow as Christians. One imperative, urging us to actively and continually pursue growth. And it’s found in 2 Peter 3:18.
The Divine Command to Grow
Let’s look at this game-changing verse together. 2 Peter 3:18 exhorts us:
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”
The Greek word used here for “grow” is auxano, which carries the idea of increasing, becoming greater, and reaching maturity. This isn’t a call to maintain the status quo, but to actively pursue ongoing spiritual development.
The command is clear: Grow. Do it now, do it continually. Never stop growing. But notice the spheres in which we are called to grow: in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Understanding True Grace
To unpack what it means to “grow in grace”, we first need a proper understanding of grace itself. Grace is unmerited favor – it’s God giving us what we don’t deserve.
Think of it this way: Imagine you’re in a courtroom, guilty of a crime deserving the death penalty. But instead of condemning you, the judge steps down from his bench, takes off his robe, and offers to pay your penalty himself. That’s grace.
Grace is getting…
- Heaven, instead of hell
- Forgiveness, rather than condemnation
- Eternal life, when we deserve eternal death
- God’s love, though we are unlovable
- Mercy and compassion, in place of judgment
- Strength, even in our weakness
- Power to overcome, when we are powerless
Grace encapsulates every good and perfect gift that comes from the Father’s hand (James 1:17). It is the sum total of God’s undeserved kindness and goodness lavished upon us in Christ.
Growing in God’s Grace
Here’s what I find fascinating: God commands us to grow in something only He can give. We don’t produce or earn grace – we receive it. God wants us to grow in living a grace-filled, blessed, abundant life that flows directly from Him.
The key to experiencing greater measures of God’s grace is found in the second part of the command: “Grow in the grace AND knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
The Grace-Knowledge Connection
Why does Peter link grace and the knowledge of Jesus so closely? Because they are intimately connected! In fact, 2 Peter 1:2 reveals that God’s grace is actually multiplied to us through the knowledge of Jesus.
The Greek word for “knowledge” used here is epignosis, which refers not just to intellectual understanding, but to a deep, personal, experiential knowledge. It’s the difference between knowing about someone and actually knowing them intimately.
The more we know Jesus personally and experientially, the more we will experience the riches of God’s grace. Just as a greater knowledge of someone’s generosity prompts us to ask them for help more readily, a greater revelation of Christ’s grace empowers us to approach God’s throne boldly to find grace to help in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).
If you only know a little about Jesus, your Christian life will be small. But the more you know Him, the more your life will explode with grace!
The Danger of Not Growing
Why is growth so crucial? Peter gives us two sobering reasons:
- When we stand before Jesus one day, we want to be found blameless and pure. Spiritual stagnancy leaves us vulnerable to impurity (2 Peter 2:20-22, 3:11, 14).
- Growing in the knowledge of Jesus protects us from being led astray by false teaching. A failure to grow leaves us susceptible to deception (2 Peter 2:1-2, 3:17-18).
Let me lovingly admonish you: Most believers do NOT have the depth of biblical knowledge they think they do.
In fact, the average Christian today has such a superficial grasp of Scripture and doctrine that if a preacher stood in the pulpit and preached outright heresy, they would have NO IDEA. That’s tragic.
We desperately need to grow in our knowledge of God’s Word and in our experiential knowledge of Jesus. Only then will we be equipped to identify and reject false doctrine.
If we aren’t growing, we are backsliding. If we aren’t pursuing the knowledge of Christ, we are setting ourselves up for a fall.
This isn’t about amassing head knowledge or becoming a walking Bible encyclopedia. It’s about pursuing a vibrant, life-changing relationship with Jesus through His Word. The more we know Him, the more we will love Him. The more we love Him, the more we will grow to be like Him.
Growing Pains
Now, you may be thinking, “I’ll just continue coming to church each week and I’ll gradually grow over time.” But is that really how growth happens?
The New Testament paints a different picture. 2 Peter 1:5-7 outlines the process of Christian growth:
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.
Growth requires diligent effort. It necessitates an active, intentional pursuit of Christlike character through the power of the Holy Spirit.
We don’t passively absorb Christlikeness by osmosis. No, we energetically add to our faith, cooperating with God’s Spirit, to see the character of Jesus formed in us.
Here are some practical ways we can actively pursue growth:
- Studying and meditating on Scripture daily
- Communicating with God through prayer continually
- Participating in corporate worship and fellowship regularly
- Serving others with our time, talents, and treasure consistently
- Sharing the gospel and our testimony of Christ’s work in us regularly
As we engage in these spiritual disciplines, the Holy Spirit works in us to produce the fruit of Christlike character (Galatians 5:22-23). Growth is a partnership between our effort and God’s transforming power.
Overcoming Obstacles to Growth
Let’s be honest: pursuing growth isn’t easy. We face many obstacles in our spiritual development, such as:
- Busyness and distractions
- Apathy and complacency
- Sinful habits and attitudes
- Discouragement and doubt
- Trials and suffering
However, God’s Word provides us with the wisdom and power to overcome these obstacles. James 1:2-4 tells us to count it all joy when we face trials because they produce perseverance, maturity, and completeness in us. Hebrews 12:1-2 urges us to lay aside every weight and sin that hinders us and run the race of faith with endurance, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus.
As we abide in Christ and depend on His strength, we find the grace to overcome every obstacle and keep growing (John 15:4-5).
The Holy Spirit: Our Growth Partner
One of the most encouraging truths about Christian growth is that we are not alone in the process. The Holy Spirit Himself is our constant companion, guide, and enabler.
Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would be our Helper, Teacher, and Reminder of all that Christ taught (John 14:26). He illuminates the Word of God to us, convicts us of sin, assures us of our righteousness in Christ, guides us into all truth, and empowers us to live a godly life (John 16:7-15; Acts 1:8).
As we seek to grow in grace and the knowledge of Jesus, we must learn to walk by the Spirit, be led by the Spirit, pray in the Spirit, and keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:16, 18, 25; Ephesians 6:18). He is the One who produces Christlike character in us as we yield to His transforming work.
Adding to Your Faith
2 Peter 1:5-7 gives us a practical roadmap for pursuing growth by listing various qualities we are to “add” to our faith. Let’s briefly explore how we can cultivate each one:
- Goodness: Doing what is right and pleasing to God, even when it’s difficult.
- Knowledge: Growing in our understanding and application of God’s Word.
- Self-control: Mastering our thoughts, emotions, words, and actions to honor Christ.
- Perseverance: Enduring hardship and difficulty with patient faith and hope in God.
- Godliness: Reflecting the character and nature of God in every area of life.
- Mutual affection: Loving and serving our brothers and sisters in Christ genuinely.
- Love: Selflessly seeking the highest good of God and others, even our enemies.
As we intentionally pursue these qualities, we cooperate with the Holy Spirit’s transforming work and experience the abundant life Jesus promised (John 10:10).
Better Together: The Role of Community
While personal spiritual disciplines are vital, we must remember that God never intended for us to grow in isolation. He has placed us in the Body of Christ, the Church, to encourage, strengthen, and sharpen one another.
Hebrews 10:24-25 instructs us to spur one another on toward love and good deeds and to not neglect meeting together. We need the encouragement, accountability, and support of other believers to keep growing.
If you’re not already, I encourage you to get plugged into a local church where you can worship, serve, and do life with other Christians. Join a small group or Bible study where you can share your joys, struggles, and insights. Seek out a spiritually mature mentor who can offer guidance and prayer. And look for opportunities to disciple and pour into others who are newer in the faith.
As we embrace the communal aspect of growth, we will find strength, wisdom, and joy in the journey.
Grow or Die
What happens if we neglect this command to grow? 2 Peter 1:9 reveals the tragic outcome:
But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.
If you aren’t pursuing growth in your Christian walk, you are spiritually blind. You have forgotten the glorious reality that Jesus cleansed you from sin so that you could walk in ever-increasing holiness and intimacy with Him.
When you came to Jesus, you didn’t just receive forgiveness for your past. You were given a brand new life and the power to live in righteousness. Ongoing growth is meant to be the normal Christian life.
The Promise and Process of Growth
As we actively add to our faith and grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus, God gives us a stunning promise in 2 Peter 1:8,10-11:
For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ…For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Did you catch that? Growing in Christlike character keeps us spiritually effective, productive and stable. It ensures we are building our lives on the unshakable foundation of knowing Jesus.
And when we reach the end of our earthly race, we will receive a “rich welcome” into Jesus’ eternal kingdom. What an incredible promise!
Conclusion
Dear reader, I pray this post has awakened a fresh hunger in you to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Though the biblical command to grow is rare, it is mighty. It is the key to experiencing the abundant life Jesus promised. It is the path to spiritual stability, fruitfulness, and eternal reward.
Don’t settle for a stagnant Christian life. Dive into God’s Word with renewed passion. Pursue the knowledge of Jesus above all else. Cooperate with the Holy Spirit’s work in cultivating Christlike character. Embrace the community of faith God has given you.
As you do, I believe you will begin to experience the explosive growth and grace your soul craves. You will build your life on the unshakable foundation of knowing Christ. And you will store up heavenly treasure that will never fade away.
Let’s commit ourselves wholly to this glorious pursuit. May our lives be marked by ever-increasing growth in the grace and knowledge of King Jesus.
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