SUNDAY, APRIL 19
MEMORISE: “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.” – (2 Peter 3:18)
READ: 1 Peter 2:9-12 (KJV)
The word grace connotes God’s benevolence to the undeserving. Grace empowers Christians to do both the ordinary and extraordinary (2 Corinthians 9:8).
However, if you do not grow in grace after being born again, making heaven may become increasingly difficult. This is why Peter advises Christians to grow in grace as seen in today’s memory verse.
When anyone stays at the level of salvation and fails to grow, there is a great possibility of backsliding. For this reason, Paul rebuked the church in Corinth. Despite being saved, they didn’t aspire to holy living (1 Corinthians 3:1-3).
- What are the effects of growing in grace?
According to today’s memory verse, steadily growing in grace helps us avoid lust and worldliness. When a Christian allows such into his/her life, there will be a gradual spiritual decline which is very dangerous. To avoid this decline, we must follow Peter’s counsel desire the sincere milk of the word (1 Peter 2:2).
We must also strive to keep our salvation, working it out with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12) – not in riotous or careless living, but in sobriety and modesty. When we grow in grace, it will not be difficult to live in obedience to God’s word.
“…Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts” – Zechariah 4:6
Click here to read Rhapsody of Realities for today
The benefit of godly living is further stressed in Zechariah 4:7 “Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shouting, crying, Grace, grace unto it.” A life of grace will do wonders.
Today, I adapt an Apostolic prayer for you: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you” (1 Corinthians 16:23), now and forever more. Amen.
PRAYER POINT: Father, give me a hunger for Your word. Cause me to grow in the grace of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
