Growing in Grace and Knowledge

Growing in Grace and Knowledge

‘AWord from the Pastor’ By Clayton Adams

The apostle Peter wrote; “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). I am not sure about you, but I know the times I “grow” the most and best is through difficulty and adversity.

Human muscle if not exercised and nourished grows weak, atrophies and finally dies. Likewise faith needs to be exercised and nourished or it doesn't grow and strengthen. Did you know that God gave each one of us a certain measure of faith? He did, Romans 12:3 tells us this fact.

I personally believe that God has given every person a “certain measure of faith.” It takes faith to believe in God. Likewise it takes faith to believe in nothing, faith enables one to believe in oneself.

Where did that faith come from? God.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 states, “He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart…” Everyone believes in something, it could be nothing as many people believe and it could be something, as I believe.

The great thing about the God of the Holy Bible is that He has given each person the ability, individuality and freedom to choose what he or she believes. It boils down to the singular question Jesus asked in Matthew chapter 16. Your response to this question will govern every aspect of your life.

Jesus, teaching His disciples warned them to “watch out and beware of the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees,” (religious leaders) as they were teaching things that were not true. Finally, the disciples understood the subject matter Jesus was teaching – and they grew in the “grace and knowledge” of who their Lord and Savior .

It was during this time of teaching His disciples that Jesus was causing their faith to grow and their ability to develop their grace and knowledge.

Jesus asked his often outspoken disciple Peter the single most important question anyone can ask or answer, “But who do you say that I am?” So, allow me to ask you, who do you say Jesus Christ is? But before you answer, think carefully. If your answer is Christ was the figment of history, a good man, a prophet and nothing more, could you be wrong? If you say that Christ is the Son of God, is your life proving this belief? If not, why not?

Growing in “the grace and knowledge…” always requires being tested, challenged and often times failing. The point of failure is the beginning of new growth. I don't like failing but I do enjoy the growth in “grace and knowledge” that comes from failure.

Want to grow? Allow the failure in your life to become teaching moments of grace and knowledge for this is when you will grow more gracious and wiser in Jesus Christ.

Clayton Adams is pastor at Earle First Assembly of God. You can e- mail him at cpalaa@ yahoo. com, or