January 2004
"And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (II Peter 1:5-8).
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teachers us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age" (Titus 2:11-12).
"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen" (II Peter 3:18).
The New Year is a time of retrospection, looking back to review the past, and a time of contemplation, to anticipate and plan for the future. Just as we plan and set priorities for the other areas of life, we should also be intentional about the spiritual aspect of our life. The author of Hebrews said, "The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty"e; (Prov. 21:5). Someone else said, "If you aim for nothing, you are bound to hit it every time."e; Another maxim states, "If you don't know where you are going, any road will lead you there."e; Setting priorities and making a specific plan will function as signposts to help you determine which road you will travel. Growing in grace should be the goal of all believers in Jesus Christ. Charles Stanley states, "Yet, very often, we act as though it is unspiritual to set goals in personal life and for spiritual growth. If we believe what Scripture says, just the opposite is true."
How can we grow in grace? First, you must accept the fact that you can not grow yourself. You are called to position yourself so that the Holy Spirit can cause growth in your life. Second, you must want to grow. Peter states, "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby"e; (I Pet. 2:2). Third, you must believe that "growing in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ" is not an option. The Lord expects His children to grow.
I want to offer five areas for growing in grace for the New Year. First, we must grow in grace in the area of handling our money (stewardship). You have to deal with the money issue before you can grow in grace. There are many Scriptures dealing with the believer and his money (Matt. 23:23, Mark 10:21, Matt. 6:24, Mal. 3:10). Jesus talked more about money that most any other subject. He asked the question, "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me, But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offering, even this whole nation"e; (Mal. 3:8-9). How one handles their money is a true barometer of their spiritual maturity. Here, we are talking about quality, not quantity. Second, we must grow in grace in the area of our tongue. We cannot speak to people any kind of way and expect the Holy Spirit to be involved. We must guard our tongue. We are called to speak "the true in love" (Eph. 4:15a). We have a sacred obligation to speak words that edify, enlighten, and encourage others (Col. 4:4, 6; Eph. 4:29). James states, "Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessings and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be" (James 3:10). Third, we must grow in grace in the area of our Christian walk. One of the greatest hindrances to win the world for Christ is carnality among God's people."e; There are Christians whose life is inconsistent with their profession. Paul admonishes, "e;Therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called"e; (Eph. 4:1). When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, he gives us the power to become (I John 3:2). Fourth, we must grow in grace in the area of our ministry or service. The Master constantly reminded His disciples that He did not come to be served, but rather to serve. In John, Chapter 13, He demonstrates this principle by washing the feet of the disciples. Then, He said, "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought have washed one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you"e; (John 13:14-15). Finally, we must grow in grace in the area of our worship. Worship means to ascribe worth. It means to use all that we are and have to praise God for all He is and does. Worship is an indicator of our relationship with God. We are to worship the Lord in Spirit and in truth. Worship is not an option for the child of God, but it is an obligation. The Bible says, "Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness" (I Chron. 16:29). True worship springs from a grateful heart.
As we start this New Year, we all have the opportunity to be made over again. The potter wants to make us into a vessel of honor (Jer. 18).
Will you join with me and let us GROW IN GRACE IN 2004!
Mary and I, wish you and yours, a safe and prosperous New Year!