Grow
in His grace
Ok,
someone asked after the last post…”if grace is God’s unmerited favor, how do we
‘grow in His grace’?” Good question.
First,
that definition is very common for the word, “grace.” But, tell me, what do we receive from God that
is ‘merited,’ or ‘not unmerited’?
Yet,
God Himself tells us to “grow in (His) grace” – 2 Peter 3:18
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…”
So,
what is it that we can “grow in”?
Everything
we have received from God is something of His doing. Everything.
When we look at “grace” as being “His doing,” and not just “unmerited
favor,” we then can look to Him to see how we can receive more of “whatever”
from Him! Thereby, “growing in His
grace.”
Now,
how do we “grow” to receive more from Him?
First,
look for His promises of something to GIVE us.
Then, RECEIVE it. Just like we
receive any gift at our birthday or at Christmas. What did we do to be given
those gifts? Nothing. What do we do to get those gifts? Receive
them. It’s the same with God’s
promises. Illustration: want “peace”? John 14:27:
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you:
not as the world giveth, give I
unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let
it be afraid.”
1. He gives us His peace.
2. Not as the world giveth…how
is that? Always with some requirement.
Jesus gives with no requirements, no stipulations.
3. What do we do? Simply receive His gift of peace.
4. The result? His peace.
A heart not troubled, nor afraid.
5. More results? Joy & comforted heart, sound mind, no
stress/no anxiety.
Second,
acknowledge our weakness, and His strength, then ASK Him for something we
need. Wait for Him to provide. Trust God for His supply, and live on it. Study all you can from George Mueller to further
understand and live this! He wants to pour out His
grace upon His kids! Wait and watch what
He does!
Lee McDowell Christian Ministries
P.O. Box 633244 Nacogdoches, TX 75963 936-559-5696
