Growth

But grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

–

2 Peter 3:18

Pediatricians would become seriously concerned if children did not grow. Growth is a sign that all is going well with the child. When people get older, they will no longer grow in stature, though they might grow too much in the midsection. However, growth in knowledge is important.

Studies show that people who learn new things, such as playing a musical instrument, are less likely to get dementia.

Spiritual growth, in grace and knowledge of the Lord, is even more important. Some may think believers who have been attending church every Sunday for several decades may have no more growing to do, but there is always room for spiritual growth. Paul’s admonition to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ applies to all stages of the Christian walk.

From the time of accepting Christ as Savior to learning more about Him in the Bible to understanding the importance of Christian disciplines to becoming more like Jesus in character and action to maturing in love and forgiveness to developing a deep prayer life, growing remains necessary no matter how “seasoned” a believer you are. In fact, growing Christians tend to have a deeper understanding of how much growth there is yet to do. It is often said in the Christian world, “If you’re not dead, you’re not done!”

So cultivate those things that help you grow in the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus.