GROW IN THE GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST

My daughter started Primary One this year. On the first day of school, parents were allowed to be with their children for the first 3 hours. Once the children settled down in class, the parents were ushered to another classroom for a briefing session. One thing that stood out from this session was the school’s dedication to character building, in particular the nurturing of a growth mindset.

A growth mindset, as defined by Harvard Business Review, is the belief that talents can be developed through hard work, good strategies and constructive feedback. Individuals who have a growth mindset have the ability to see opportunities in challenges. They persevere through setbacks, are optimistic and focus on making efforts to improve. Motivational quotes circulating the secular world tell us that if we are not growing, we are dying.

Is the concept of a growth mindset foreign to the Christian? Certainly not! The Bible has long expounded the need for personal growth in spiritual matters. It is written in 1 Peter 2:2, “as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby”. A newborn baby’s hunger for milk is instinctive, and that is what will help her to grow. As a child grows, her diet changes. Hebrews 5:12-14, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” The Bible uses the analogy of a child growing up to help us understand that it is only natural that a Christian grows spiritually. Growth is necessary.

Which aspect of growth should the Christian focus on? 2 Peter 3:18 tells us, “ but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…” Grace is a blessing from God. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.” In James 4:6, it is written “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”” We must have the humility to put aside our own pride and let God’s word dwell in us, and to obey Him.

The latter part of 2 Peter 3:18 mentions growing in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Jesus is the best role model to the Christian. What is our saviour like? 

First, He was obedient to God’s will. In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed. Matthew 26:39:  “He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”” Jesus put God’s will above His personal sorrows and desires. He humbled Himself and submitted to God’s will. Phillipians 2: 5-8: “ Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross”

Jesus was forgiving. Luke 23:34: “Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”” He was compassionate, especially towards the lost. Matthew 9:36: “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were [weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.” 

Jesus had great love for the people. John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” He commanded the same of us. John 13:34: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”

Jesus was knowledgeable and sound in God’s laws. In Matthew 4, when Satan tempted Jesus, Jesus was able to rebuke all of the Devil’s attempts with God’s word. For Christians today, the Bible is our authority. We must be able to “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). The Bible is our standard. 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

To grow more like Christ is our goal as Christians. To achieve this goal, we need to learn to put away many things. They include and are not limited to, idolatry, pride, lying, bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, evil speaking, the list is not exhaustive. From another angle, we can also focus on what to put on. Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” The fruits of a mature Christian who has grown spiritually will be apparent in her conduct.

Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” In life, we may have many pursuits: a better education, a better paying job, better career prospects or a better house may be some of them. Above all these, the pursuit of a closer relationship with God, of going to Heaven, of sharing the gospel should take precedence in our Christian lives. May we all let God’s word dwell richly in us and bear fruits in our Christian journey.