Growth Points: Disciplines of Grace
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 2 Peter 1:5-7
We often find it difficult to balance the grace of God and our own personal responsibility. Peter began his second epistle affirming the grace gifts of our loving God, and followed that up by teaching about our responsibility. The fact that God gives us all that we need for life and godliness should be a source of encouragement to us as we follow Christ. Though God is the Source of all good things, this is does not mean that we just sit and soak it all up, rather it is a call to be serious disciples of grace, realizing the Source of our strength but applying ourselves.
When I attended elementary school, the cost was paid by the great State of Texas and the City of Dallas. My text books were provided, someone else paid my teachers’ salaries, and my parents bought my school supplies. But all of that was done as an encouragement for me to apply myself for study. I could not just sit and say to them, “You have done it all and there is nothing left for me to do.” No. There was something very important for me to do — I had to study and learn.
In the same way, to be serious disciples of grace means that we recognize Christ has saved us from sin, and we receive this salvation through faith, but that we apply ourselves and act in accordance with His character and our calling, and add to our faith goodness, then knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. God gives us His Spirit and His Word, and to apply His grace in our lives means we receive what He offers allow Him to change us. His Spirit works within us through the entire process, “both to will and to do according to His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13). Our Teacher wants us to learn and develop.
Are you growing in God’s grace today? Where do you need more growth? Look at these traits above. Where are you weak? Where is God seeking to change you? Move with the Spirit and apply your heart to the discipline of grace today.
Blessings,
Pastor David