The Last Words Of Peter Series

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen."

Before the great apostle says his final amen he reminds his readers about growth, grace and knowledge.

GROWTH - a command for the Christ-follower, not an option. As many realize, the Greek word insinuates "be constantly growing".

Never stop growing as a Christian. Never "arrive". Be content but don’t be conceited.

If you haven’t conquered anger yet - set your goals on growing in that area. If jealousy, bitterness, laziness, gossip, etc., haven’t been put away - commit yourself to grow in the area(s) of your weakness. Every Christian has room for improvement.

This admonition to grow is the culmination of a long discourse on the danger of false teaching. (Chapters 2 and 3 of 2 Peter)

So we see growth is essential to overcome the deception of others - but it is also necessary to overcome our own evil desires. (2 Peter 1:4)

This kind of growth takes effort.

"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness"...etc. (2 Peter 1-5-9)

The great apostle knew about growth. In the gospel narrative of the life of Jesus no Christ-follower’s progress is documented more closely than that of Simon Peter - a pebble (Simon) that would be transformed into a rock (Cephas, or Peter) by the power of Christ. (John 1:42)

The apostle knew grace - perhaps his greatest homework assignment. The first one to put his foot in his mouth, and the first one out of the boat, Peter’s impetuous spirit often got him in deep water. Having felt the sting of guilt from his denial of Christ he knew first hand what it meant to be forgiven for his foolish sin.

GRACE - God’s favor on undeserving man.

We’re saved by grace, not by our own merit, but it does not cease to operate in our lives after conversion.

Grace is needed for strength. (2 Timothy 2:1)

Grace is needed to endure suffering. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

Grace is needed for giving. (2 Corinthians 8:1)

Those are just a few areas where growth in grace is needed in the Christian life.

But don’t forget to couple growth in grace with growth in KNOWLEDGE.

The knowledge Peter is talking about is the knowledge of God’s Word.

It is possible to know more scripture than we live but it isn’t quite as possible to live more scripture than we know.

The wealth of the Word of God will never be completely mined. When its truths are grasped we lay hold of more treasure than this world can contain.

Don’t miss the fact that Peter is calling for growth in grace and knowledge simultaneously.

If we grow in one area without the other we become imbalanced. Down through the centuries of church history there have been grave doctrinal errors proliferated by those who emphasized grace to the exclusion of knowledge and vice versa.

Be a balanced believer in these last days.

Those are Peter’s last words.