Grow in Grace

The Apostle Peter was a man who had his share of problems. And probably because of that fact, Peter is probably the one disciple that most of us can easily relate to. It seemed like he was always messing up. He sank when called to walk on water, he denied when called to testify, and he forsook when called to be faithful. After Jesus’ death, Peter finally walked away from it all and went back to fishing. No more Jesus, no more religion, no more ministry, and no more surrender. He quit. And in reality, if it were you or I, we would have been done with Peter.

Yet after His resurrection, Jesus sought Peter out. In fact, Jesus prepared a supper of fish for all of His disciples who followed Peter’s abandonment and beckoned them to come in from their backsliding and eat with Him. As Jesus welcomed His disciples, He no doubt motioned for them to be seated by the fire and eat with Him. Surprisingly, Jesus decided to sit by Peter. I would not have made that choice—but Jesus did.

Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him three times. As Peter responded, his will subsided and his devotion thickened. Jesus had exercised grace in Peter’s life and he was no match for its power. It is so amazing—even when we do not choose Jesus, He chooses us. It is this amazing grace that not only saves us but also empowers us. Peter went from this table of grace to grow into a useful, faithful servant who eventually died for the One he once denied. Peter grew in grace.

Who better than Peter to challenge us to grow in grace. In 2 Peter 3:18, Peter challenges every believer to grow in grace. Something profound happened in his life between his denial at Calvary and his declaration at Pentecost. What was it?

Peter was willing to face his failure and grow through his mistakes in the grace that God would so willingly bestow upon his submissive heart. God never desired to set Peter aside, and His grace, like a powerful magnet, drew Peter in once again. It was in this safe harbor of grace that Peter’s spiritual life finally began to flourish.

God’s grace is sufficient to grow you spiritually as well. No matter where you come from, what you have done, or how you have messed up, God chooses to grant you the space of grace (Ezra 9:8) necessary for solid, lasting spiritual growth in your life. But you must be faithful to take advantage of His grace and not waste it (1 Corinthians 15:10) or consume it on your lusts (Galatians 5:13). We must be willing to ask God to give us grace to grow in three important areas of our life:

1. We Need His Grace to Focus

We must focus on what matters in our life. It is easy to become distracted by success, ambition, desires, possessions, employment, trials, and whatever other “temporal” distraction the devil wants to send our way. Peter told the believers of his day that everything we consider important will one day melt and fade away (2 Peter 3:10–14). So why focus on what is temporary? Focus on the eternal. Focus on holiness and godliness. Focus on using God’s grace to grow.

2. We Need His Grace to Be Faithful

Some people wrestle with the truth of God’s Word (2 Peter 3:16) because they are unlearned and unstable. The Word of God is our guide for life, and growing in grace means growing in faithfulness to God’s truth.

3. We Need His Grace to Be Formed

This is asking God to take us as we are and mold us into something that we cannot become on our own. God desires to form you into the image of His Son! And it will take the grace of God growing in your life to allow you to have the surrender necessary for spiritual formation.

Peter was used by God because he learned not to ignore or take for granted the grace by which God works in our lives. He learned to rest in God’s grace and grow in its fertile soil! Determine to grow in your relationship with God.