Peter tells Christians to grow, meaning to develop the inner person, the true human. This growth will be a lifelong process, the benefits of which will be the ability to enjoy relationships, with family, friends and most of all, with the Lord. Notice how Peter phrases this admonition:
2 Peter 3:18 “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever.” Amen.
Grace is the gift God gives to us based on the merit of His Son, Jesus Christ. Growing in this grace is the simple process of surrendering to His grace working in us. Growing in knowledge is the result of applying time, talent and often treasure to the pursuit of knowledge as Paul instructed in 2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Seems simple enough, so why don’t we grow? Why do those of us who profess to know Christ remain spiritual infants, always yearning for the bottle or pacifier?
The answer is simple. One word gives tremendous insight into the why. It’s one identifying word that God, angels and Jesus Christ use extensively in scripture. You know, you suffer from yielding to it, and truth be known, you’re ashamed for others to know you are prone to this one word armada!
Fear!
The thoughts activated by this emotion, this false evidence appearing real, is the number one weapon in Satan’s bag of tricks. His most effective is the arrow of fear of failure which is aimed at the center of your heart. The fear of failure freezes you to your present achievement. You cannot move ahead until you overcome this paralyzing impediment to progress and if you sit still long enough to start a backward slide. Notice this little gem:
“When you're scared, you stay as you are!”
― Stephen Richards
This stay as you are fear is what God warned Joshua about in Joshua 1:9 “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
Joshua was terrified as he stepped into the shoes of Moses as leader of Israel. If he remained dismayed (Paralyzed by fear) he could not do the Lord’s will. When we are facing challenges we must trust the Lord for the new opportunity and move toward His will, not being afraid of failure. Knowing we may apparently fail, but also knowing that one of God’s training tools is the failure from which we learn! Failure contributes to our ultimate growth by teaching us humility! “When you’re scared, you stay as you are!”
Copyright © 2015 Larry Lilly
For IT work click Oral Deckard
2 Peter 3:18 “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever.” Amen.
Grace is the gift God gives to us based on the merit of His Son, Jesus Christ. Growing in this grace is the simple process of surrendering to His grace working in us. Growing in knowledge is the result of applying time, talent and often treasure to the pursuit of knowledge as Paul instructed in 2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Seems simple enough, so why don’t we grow? Why do those of us who profess to know Christ remain spiritual infants, always yearning for the bottle or pacifier?
The answer is simple. One word gives tremendous insight into the why. It’s one identifying word that God, angels and Jesus Christ use extensively in scripture. You know, you suffer from yielding to it, and truth be known, you’re ashamed for others to know you are prone to this one word armada!
Fear!
The thoughts activated by this emotion, this false evidence appearing real, is the number one weapon in Satan’s bag of tricks. His most effective is the arrow of fear of failure which is aimed at the center of your heart. The fear of failure freezes you to your present achievement. You cannot move ahead until you overcome this paralyzing impediment to progress and if you sit still long enough to start a backward slide. Notice this little gem:
“When you're scared, you stay as you are!”
― Stephen Richards
This stay as you are fear is what God warned Joshua about in Joshua 1:9 “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
Joshua was terrified as he stepped into the shoes of Moses as leader of Israel. If he remained dismayed (Paralyzed by fear) he could not do the Lord’s will. When we are facing challenges we must trust the Lord for the new opportunity and move toward His will, not being afraid of failure. Knowing we may apparently fail, but also knowing that one of God’s training tools is the failure from which we learn! Failure contributes to our ultimate growth by teaching us humility! “When you’re scared, you stay as you are!”
Copyright © 2015 Larry Lilly
For IT work click Oral Deckard
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