LEARNING DAILY

2 Peter 3:17-18, You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I have always believed in the importance of knowledge. In every workplace I tried to help those around me and my students understand the need to learn, to understand the why and the what of the subject dealt with. When talking about life insurance, I tried to focus on the need. In retail, I tried to focus on why a product or an item should be placed in a certain spot. In the classroom, I tried to relate knowledge of the subject with its application. I believed that an individual could not apply a thought to life if he/she did not know what the thought meant. Can I say I am very concerned over what is being taught (and not being taught) in all levels of our educational system today!

That same thing can be applied to our faith; a person cannot believe what he/she does not know (Spurgeon). The verse above, written by Peter, that growing “in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” is important. Why? Because doing so keeps us from falling to the deception and error of the wicked who are continually spewing their lies and deception! Believers must not be weak in their faith because they lack knowledge of the truths taught in God’s Word. They must not be ignorant and lazy about knowing just a little bit about Jesus Christ and what He taught.

All Believers are to “grow in grace”. Grace by definition is not earned. Growing in grace is to live under the grace Jesus Christ gives to us through faith in Him and that provides a great opportunity to grow spiritually; walking with Him daily on the narrow way is allowing Him to change Believers, to have a deeper faith because of greater knowledge of who He is. The closer Believers walk with Jesus, the more they grow in relationship with Him. That builds our faith to know Jesus walks with them through each and every situation they face. When faith is growing because our knowledge of Scriptures is clearer and the knowledge of Jesus being with us, would that not bring comfort in each situation being faced?

The Bible talks about Believers growing up, that they should be in the “meat” of the Word and no longer in the ‘milk” of the Word. In other words, Believers are to not just be content with the basics of Christianity. I must confess I am not liking the speed of which life is moving. I am far behind the technology of today; it seems to change daily. Change is difficult for me, even though I know it is good. Things I used to enjoy seem to disgust me. I used to enjoy politics; today I am disgusted by what I see! Evil is being called good and good is being called evil. I have decided to study the basics of Christian doctrine just to remind myself of the basic teachings found in God’s Word. That includes spending time reading the writings of some great teachers of God’s Word.

May I encourage each of you to find comfort in believing the truth as you find it in Jesus Christ who is the truth. Be encouraged to grow “in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” by doing what is necessary to walk on the narrow way with Him. The time taken now will be worth it when you meet Jesus face to face in His eternal kingdom!