THE VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS

Series: 02-2021
 
Grow in Grace and in the knowledge of our LORD JESUS CHRIST
 
Text: 2 Peter 3:18
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.
 
The word “but” is normally used to contrast what has already be used earlier.  Peter used his closing sentence in this epistle to contrast what he had earlier said in verse 17 “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.”  Peter in this verse 18, was admonishing the brethren that they should not allow themselves to be drawn away by the errors and heresies of the godless and the wicked which would lead to their losing their salvation in CHRIST (verse 17), but instead they should pray that they “grow in grace and in the knowledge of the LORD JESUS CHRIST”.
 
Grace as used in this passage does not imply an “unmerited favour” as its usually used, for example our salvation is by the grace of GOD because we do not deserve the mercy of GOD to be saved as we were by nature children of wrath (Ephesians 2:1-3).  Our salvation therefore, is by the grace (unmerited favour) of GOD (Ephesians 2:1, 4-10; Titus 2:11).  But the use of the word “grace” in 2 Peter 3:18 means “the divine enablement given to a believer to remain in the faith and live for CHRIST JESUS.  We see Paul use this aspect of “grace” in 2 Timothy 2:21; Hebrews 12:28 among others. Zechariah the prophet also used this characteristic in Zechariah 12:10.  
 
It is the grace of GOD that enables us to be whom GOD has ordained us to be.  GOD has created man to show forth or manifest His glory (Isaiah 43:7).  We as GOD’s creations must manifest this glory.  The extent to which we manifest GOD’s glory is dependent upon the depth of our relationship with Him (2 Corinthians 3:18).  The more rooted we are in JESUS CHRIST, the less of ourselves we become and the more the grace made available to us to live for Him (2 Corinthians 12:9).  
 
CHRIST JESUS gives His glory to a believer who is united in Him (John 17:22).  We are able to manifest this glory of CHRIST in our lives and at the same time keep beholding His glory if and only if we are one in Him as He is One with His Father (John 17:22-24; John 15:4-5).  He who does not abide in CHRIST will be uprooted and cast into fire (John 15:6; Matthew 3:10).  We grow in grace when and as long as we abide in the Vine, that is having an ongoing relationship with CHRIST (John 15:2, 3-.  
 
The LORD expects us His children to remain rooted in Him (Ephesians 2:18-20; Colossians 2:6-7).  This is the reason Peter prayed that the brethren “grow in grace .....”.  It is by the grace of GOD that a believer is transformed from glory to glory.  The transformation from glory to glory comes from our beholding the face of the LORD JESUS CHRIST everyday through reading, studying, meditating and applying the word of GOD in our day-to-day lives (2 Corinthians 3:18).  We have to decrease for CHRIST to increase in us (John 3:30).  GOD increasing in us depends upon how much of GOD’s Word we obey.  Let us ask for grace to obey His commandments so that He will increase in us (Hebrews 12:28-29).
 
The second part of this message speaks of “grow ...... in the knowledge of our LORD and Saviour JESUS CHRIST”.  Brethren, there is nothing greater or more important than one having the knowledge of the LORD JESUS CHRIST (Philippians 3:8-10; Psalm 27:4).  We should always pray that our eyes be enlightened to know more about the LORD JESUS (Ephesians 1:17-18).  We should aspire to have an experiential knowledge of CHRIST.  This type of knowledge comes not just by reading or by hearing what others say of Him but much more through our intimate day-to-day walk of obedience with Him (Romans 14:8; 2 Corinthians 5:15).  
 
All that GOD wants us to attain in this life can only be fully manifested through our knowledge of the One “Who was delivered for our offences and was raised again for our justification.” (Romans 4:25).  One cannot be outside of CHRIST and at the same time be able to comprehend the depth of what GOD wants us to be.  This is the reason that Apostle Paul prayed that GOD opens the eyes of the understanding of the Ephesian brethren in Ephesians 1:15-23; 3:14-21.  
 
The more we have the knowledge of CHRIST, the more the grace of GOD is made available to us.  The prayer of Peter that believers grow in grace and in the knowledge of CHRIST is a very important prayer for us believers as we live our lives and await the rapture of the church (Luke 21:36).  Let us always remember that it is only those who are manifesting GOD’s glory in their personal lives who will be raptured on that day (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).  Anyone who is not manifesting GOD’s glory as at the time of rapture will not be caught up to be with the LORD in the air.  In the same vein, those not manifesting GOD’s glory (although they might have been in the church) at the point of death will not spend eternity in GOD’s holy presence (1 Corinthians 9:25, 27; Matthew 7:20-23).
 
I pray that the good LORD will help us to show forth His glory; make us a sweet savour of CHRIST in them that are saved and in them that perish (2 Corinthians 2:15).  May He give us grace to “work out your (our) own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12) and to allow Him to work in us “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13).  Think on these things like our LORD JESUS says in John 13:17 “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.”
 
Till we meet again on this platform by the grace of GOD, I remain yours in CHRIST JESUS, brother Michael Dike.
 
GOD bless you.