Dear brethren, are you growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18)? Yes, it is God who causes such growth, we may not bring it about ourselves, but we must water the seed that has been planted.
As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth” (1 Cor. 3:6). Thus Peter also warns that we be “diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless” (2 Pet. 3:14).
We must spend time with Him. We must be in His word, and fed by faithful shepherds of His flock. We must also be on our guard to not be carried away by the distorted teachings of unstable men (2 Pet. 3:16-17).
Be steadfast, brethren, always abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58), testing all things (1 Jn. 4:1), searching the Scriptures to be sure what we are taught is correct, as did the Bereans (Acts 17:10-11).
Let us grow in HIs grace, and in the knowledge of Him, by no longer conforming to this world, but being transformed by the renewing of our minds through His word (Rom. 12:2). Fo His word will not return to Him empty, but it will accomplish what He desires (Isa. 55:11).
——————
Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions
Morning, January 4
"Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18
"Grow in grace"- not in one grace only, but in all grace. Grow in that root-grace, faith. Believe the promises more firmly than you have done. Let faith increase in fulness, constancy, simplicity. Grow also in love. Ask that your love may become extended, more intense, more practical, influencing every thought, word, and deed. Grow likewise in humility. Seek to lie very low, and know more of your own nothingness. As you grow downward in humility, seek also to grow upward- having nearer approaches to God in prayer and more intimate fellowship with Jesus. May God the Holy Spirit enable you to "grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour." He who grows not in the knowledge of Jesus, refuses to be blessed. To know Him is "life eternal," and to advance in the knowledge of Him is to increase in happiness. He who does not long to know more of Christ, knows nothing of Him yet. Whoever hath sipped this wine will thirst for more, for although Christ doth satisfy, yet it is such a satisfaction, that the appetite is not cloyed, but whetted. If you know the love of Jesus- as the hart panteth for the water-brooks, so will you pant after deeper draughts of His love. If you do not desire to know Him better, then you love Him not, for love always cries, "Nearer, nearer." Absence from Christ is hell; but the presence of Jesus is heaven. Rest not then content without an increasing acquaintance with Jesus. Seek to know more of Him in His divine nature, in His human relationship, in His finished work, in His death, in His resurrection, in His present glorious intercession, and in His future royal advent. Abide hard by the Cross, and search the mystery of His wounds. An increase of love to Jesus, and a more perfect apprehension of His love to us is one of the best tests of growth in grace.
Dear brethren, are you growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18)? Yes, it is God who causes such growth, we may not bring it about ourselves, but we must water the seed that has been planted.
As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth” (1 Cor. 3:6). Thus Peter also warns that we be “diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless” (2 Pet. 3:14).
We must spend time with Him. We must be in His word, and fed by faithful shepherds of His flock. We must also be on our guard to not be carried away by the distorted teachings of unstable men (2 Pet. 3:16-17).
Be steadfast, brethren, always abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58), testing all things (1 Jn. 4:1), searching the Scriptures to be sure what we are taught is correct, as did the Bereans (Acts 17:10-11).
Let us grow in HIs grace, and in the knowledge of Him, by no longer conforming to this world, but being transformed by the renewing of our minds through His word (Rom. 12:2). Fo His word will not return to Him empty, but it will accomplish what He desires (Isa. 55:11).
——————
Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions
Morning, January 4
"Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18
"Grow in grace"- not in one grace only, but in all grace. Grow in that root-grace, faith. Believe the promises more firmly than you have done. Let faith increase in fulness, constancy, simplicity. Grow also in love. Ask that your love may become extended, more intense, more practical, influencing every thought, word, and deed. Grow likewise in humility. Seek to lie very low, and know more of your own nothingness. As you grow downward in humility, seek also to grow upward- having nearer approaches to God in prayer and more intimate fellowship with Jesus. May God the Holy Spirit enable you to "grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour." He who grows not in the knowledge of Jesus, refuses to be blessed. To know Him is "life eternal," and to advance in the knowledge of Him is to increase in happiness. He who does not long to know more of Christ, knows nothing of Him yet. Whoever hath sipped this wine will thirst for more, for although Christ doth satisfy, yet it is such a satisfaction, that the appetite is not cloyed, but whetted. If you know the love of Jesus- as the hart panteth for the water-brooks, so will you pant after deeper draughts of His love. If you do not desire to know Him better, then you love Him not, for love always cries, "Nearer, nearer." Absence from Christ is hell; but the presence of Jesus is heaven. Rest not then content without an increasing acquaintance with Jesus. Seek to know more of Him in His divine nature, in His human relationship, in His finished work, in His death, in His resurrection, in His present glorious intercession, and in His future royal advent. Abide hard by the Cross, and search the mystery of His wounds. An increase of love to Jesus, and a more perfect apprehension of His love to us is one of the best tests of growth in grace.
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