GoodNews Letter
Number 361, March 2, 2011
GROWING IN GRACE
"But grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ," 2 Peter 3:18.
I'm about the place God wants me to be, I think. You know, the point where the world and its activities have no or little effect on me anymore. It's only one area of my life, but on Monday, when I opened the home page of my computer, I was puzzled. The Motion Picture Oscars coverage was plastered all over the screen. Right away, I realized that I did not know even one of the winners. I didn't recognize any of the faces or the names. None of the titles, either. I felt victorious when I had no interest to go and find out who won or who these guys were. Hallelujah! Now, if it were baseball...well...
Then today, as I was walking to finish this article, Lavon says to me, "You might want to watch this TV show. It's about Border Collies." Since 1975, I've raised Border Collies. This minute, I have four pups just about to start crawling. I love these intelligent creatures. The show, "A Dog Named Lucky," was a beautiful story about coming from behind, never giving up and how the underdog is a winner. It was a Halmark presentation on Comcast channel 500. Watch it! You have my approval.
Of course, I've been getting immune to worldly things over a space of time. It's not that I'm the religious nice guy, it's just that God is good, all the time. In fact, God is so good, the world grows strangely dim, day by day. Things of the world just are not interesting. In fact, worldly things; i.e., Hollywood, have become disgusting, for the most part.
Yet, the Bible grows and becomes a life that is victorious; not some filmed plot with no connection. In the process of growth, Peter informs us that the Christian life comes overtime. And, it's not unlike the natural growing process. "As newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby," 1st Peter 2:2. Having four children, I have a real knowledge of how important milk is to them. At the early age of life, they would cry first. Then, it was cute to see them go ballistic trying to find the source of milk. Babies love milk. They always hunger for it, too.
The greek word that Peter uses for "grow" is auxano and means to 'increase and grow up.' Growing is something that Jesus always taught. In the kingdom parables - the separating of the saved from the faithful, Jesus explained, "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in a field; and this is smaller than any other seeds, but when it is full grown, it becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches," Matthew 13:31-32. Faith starts off small but grows greatly. In this, we must see the need and, we must catch the process, too.
Thus, Growing in grace cannot be missed in any of God's word; especially in the parables. The most popular - the "Sower Parable" - teaches, not only growth, but it also brings out an understanding of truth. In the "Sower Parable," Jesus said, "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted," Matthew 13:11. The place to be, if we get understanding of the Kingdom teaching, is to be right where Jesus is, and He is "Head of the church," Ephesians 5:23.
Clearly, the process of GROWTH BY GRACE is prevelant in all Scripture. We see this, even among the Lord's prisoners and persecution of God's saints. "But the Word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied," Acts 12:24. And, as the "Mustard Seed" teaches about Growing in grace, other parables add support to growing truth. The "Tares," "Leaven," "Hidden Treasure" and, the "Dragnet" show that man must see the greatness of God's call. Service will take us places and into new areas of discovery.
Truly, there is always a certain place for growing in grace. God calls and man responds. Together, they walk on the narrow way where man can find what he needs; that is, DIRECTION. Israel provided leadership in the Old Covenant. However, since the New Covenant, it is the church where truth and direction are preached and upheld. It may be new to you; but, it's God's way of growing in grace.
After one is saved, there can be no growth unless one joins and serves within a local New Testament Church. The Bible is clear on this point; something that Paul advocated, often. "To Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations," Ephesians 3:21.
Since, the beginning of the church, Paul instructs that we are no longer strangers and aliens. Even, we Gentiles may now be "fellow citizens with the saints, are be of God's household," Ephesians 2:19. Paul went on the explain that the church is a building, "having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord," Ephesians 2:20, 21.
Growing in Grace has so much Biblical support that we cannot just sit down on the premises while we sing, "Standing on the Promises." There's a daily change for the disciple. Just start reading His word and change will come. Each reading brings us closer to God. Growing in grace never becomes old. Growing is exciting, never gets boring. The truth of the matter is, Growth does not mean that we "have to go to church." Growing in grace changes the heart to understand that we "get to go to church."