From the Pastor’s Heart…

 (June 20, 2010)

We are all to grow in grace!

I believe that this truth is often brushed aside with the idea that because of my profession of faith at some point in my life, there is no need for a lot of growth. I am safe.

But scripture teaches us that this is an important aspect of a true believer. 2 Peter 3:18 tells us that we are to ‘grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.’

The truth is that God loves us and that love is based not upon what we do, but solely upon the fact that we are in union with His Son through His sacrifice for us. Our sins were laid upon Him, and the penalty for them was fully paid by Him on the cross. That is God’s wonderful grace. His unmerited favor is never conditioned on our behavior, but is always conditioned on the unchanging merit of the Lord Jesus Christ. To that we say, “Amen!”.

But our progress in the pursuit of holiness IS conditioned on the practice of the disciplines that God commands us to follow. It is through Bible study and church attendance; memorization and meditation; application of scripture and prayer… that we are increasingly transformed into the likeness of Christ by the Spirit. This is the way He renews our mind, which Paul says in Romans 12:2 is so important in our walk with Christ.

Shall we endeavor to dedicate ourselves to ‘grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ’?

It is a joy to be your pastor.