2Peter 3:18 - Growing in Grace

18 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.

Now the flip side of being on guard is to be prepared. The antidote to being led astray is to grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. We can take a negative stance and have a fortress mentality. We can be loaded for bear and be just looking and waiting for the slightest error to occur so that we can slam the door shut, reprove the bearer and feel very self-satisfied. That would be the wrong attitude.

If we prepare ourselves positively, through a relationship with the Living God in prayer and by study - and by applying what we are learning in our lives - then our hearts will not have that edge to them that tells people we are just waiting to unload. Instead, we will be filled with all the fullness of Christ, walking in the Spirit and ready to speak that which is upbuilding to the brethren.

Balance is always the key to the Christian walk. Balance, but not compromise. A desire for unity, but not for worldly tolerance. Such was the perfect walk of Christ and, to an imperfect extent, of His Apostles. Christ never failed to rebuke what needed rebuke, nor to commend or encourage what needed commendation or encouragement. He could be fiercely critical and tenderly compassionate - but always at the appropriate time. To the extent that we grow in grace and the knowledge of Him, He will display those qualities in us, because we have His life in us.

And, as Peter says, all the glory will be to Him through Whom this is brought to pass. It is on account of Christ. It is in His power. It is because of His love. And all the saints said..."Amen".