Grow in Grace
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. (2 Peter 3:18)
Our Church theme for 2008 is Towards a
Growing and Fruit-bearing Christian Life. Hence, we had
selected a set of memory verses along this theme of The Growing
Christian to help church members to grow in our Christian
life.
How
do we grow in our Christian life?
The apostle Peter put it aptly in his concluding
challenge to the believers who were scattered by religious
persecutions in 2 Peter 3:18: But grow in grace, and in the
knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
To grow in grace is a maturing process. It means
to grow in our faith in Christ daily. For by grace are ye saved
through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
(Eph. 2:8) In order for one to grow in grace, one must be saved by
grace through faith. Our walk in Christ begins with our personal
salvation in Christ. Jesus says, Verily, verily, I say unto thee,
Except a man be born again, he cannot see the
kingdom of God. (Jn.
3:3) Hence, we must be born again before we can talk about growing in
our Christian life. My dear readers, are you born again? This is the
most fundamental issue in the world today! It is not about economic
growth; it is not about political stability, neither is it about
religious harmony; it is about our personal salvation in Christ.
Moses says, The days of our years are three score years and ten;
and if by reason of strength they be four score years, yet is their
strength, labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
(Ps. 90:10) Life is short, death is sure, but after death the
judgement - And it is appointed unto men once to die, but after
this the judgment. (Hebrews 9:27)! It would seem ironical that
men should grow and mature to a point of death? Well, we have a sin
problem which is worst than cancer. Because of our sins, we have to
die. At Christmas time, God sent His only begotten Son to be born
into this sinful in order that one day He may die for our sins. That
was exactly what our Lord and Saviour did two thousand years ago
yes, He died for our sins in order that we may live.
How
do we grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ?
In His high priestly prayer, Jesus prayed for us, Sanctify
them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (John 17:17) The
apostle Paul instructs the Thessalonians thus, For this is the
will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from
fornication. (1 Thessalonians 4:3) Gods will for His people is
to live holy life. A fruit-bearing Christian life is born out of holy
living. Our holiness is manifested in the fruit of the Spirit: But
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there
is no law. (Gal. 5:22-23) What is sin? Whosoever committeth
sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the
law. (1 John 3:4) No wonder when ones life manifests the fruit
of the Spirit, against such there is no law!
In order to grow in the knowledge of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ, one must be filled with the Holy Spirit, and
then bear the fruit of the Spirit. A fruit-bearing Christian life
begins with sanctification. Sanctification is separation from sins,
and separation to God. Our Sunday School students often sing: The
world behind me, the cross before me, no turning back, no turning
back! True saving grace is put into practise when one comes to our
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in faith and true repentance. Faith is
Forsaking All I Take
Him! Faith is taking God at His infallible and inerrant
words the Bible. Faith offers us a vision of the heavenly future in
Christ. Our end in mind is to live the legacy of Christ, and to leave
a legacy for Christ. Our Lord Jesus Christ has left us a legacy to
live for Him, and we are to leave behind a legacy of Christ for others
to live. This is the outcome of knowing Christ. Jesus says, Ye
shall know them by their fruits. (Matthew 7:16) Only one life,
twill soon be past, only whats done for Jesus will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in 'that day' my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgment
seat;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will
last.
Only one life, the still small
voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God's holy will to cleave;
Only one life, 'twill soon be
past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
Only one life, a few brief
years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its days I must fulfil, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will
last.
-
Author Unknown
God has given us various means of grace to grow in
grace. This new year, let us engage ourselves consistently to partake
of Gods means of grace in the Word, in Prayers, in Fellowship, in
Worship, and in Witnessing (evangelism)! The more zealously we engage
ourselves in these means of grace, the more we will grow in grace and
in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
What is the ultimate purpose of growing in grace?
The apostle Peter says: To him be glory both
now and for ever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:18) What is the chief end
of man? To glorify Him and to enjoy Him forever. Hence,
Towards a Growing and Fruit-bearing Christian Life is a very
appropriate theme for the church and our Sunday School as well. Let
us strive to grow in grace for the glory of God in 2008. May this New
Year bring new resolve for all to live holy life and to grow in the
fruit of the Spirit. Amen.
Yours in Christ,
Elder Sherman Ong
General Superintendent
Life Bible-Presbyterian Church Sunday School
