Got any microwave meals in your freezer? We do. Real healthy stuff too: Chicken Quesadillas, Philly Cheesesteaks, and Meatball Toasted Subs. You can microwave everything today – everything from Apple Pie to Zucchini Casserole! But you can't microwave a vibrant faith. Some things still take time and effort!
These days our church family is having a blast in the Tim Keller series, Gospel In Life. We are growing together on Sundays and digging deeper in our small groups during the week. We are learning and experiencing the amazing grace of Jesus. We are learning to rest in what God has done for us, not in what we do for him. And we are learning how that grace is lived out in all of life.
For a moment, think with me about the "living it out" part. Here is what Peter said:
Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. 2 Peter 3:14-18 ESV
The God who has showered you with grace, says "GROW in that grace." How are you doing in the GROW department? Here are four diagnostic questions to ask yourself:
- Am I diligent about my spiritual growth? “Be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish.” Those who rest in God’s grace are diligent to live in that grace. Yes, we rest in Jesus and we work to know him better.
- Am I willing to do the “hard work” to grow? “There are some things in them that are hard to understand.” Peter knew that it was not easy to understand everything in the Scriptures. But he didn’t say, “No worries. Just skip the tough stuff.” It takes time to read the Bible, attend a class, or meet with a small group to study the Word. Are you engaging in that hard work?
- Are my attitudes and actions becoming more grace-like? “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Am I so captured by the grace of Jesus that my life is marked by that grace? Am I so enraptured with the wonder of Jesus that my fascination with Him is overtaking my fascination with competing desires?
- Am I growing with the church community? Two times Peter uses the word, "Beloved." Peter was writing to the church. Don't miss that. We must guard against treating our spiritual growth as just a personal endeavor. Peter’s words were given to the entire church. We should be growing as the family of God and with the family of God. There is no such thing as solo Christianity.
When God says, "Grow" it's not an option. What's your next step to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?
A SPECIAL NOTE FOR OUR SPANISH RIVER CHURCH FAMILY:
I write this post with our upcoming EquipU in mind. As I shared with you this Sunday, my job description from God is to to equip you "for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ." (Ephesians 4:12). This Saturday (8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.) is a GREAT time for all of us in the SRC family to keep on growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. I'm pumped about EquipU. Reserve your place today. Just click here to find out more and to register.