October 5, 2017 (Thursday)
in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
The Apostle Peter wrote: “So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.. [and] grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever!” (2 Peter 3:14-18 NIV).
“Grow in grace and knowledge!” This is our mandate as Christians. As we consider all that is involved in such growth, Let us take a good look at ourselves and the life we face. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 teaches us there is a time for everything in our lives–a time to be born and a time to die, with much living in between those vital events. Each of us has moments of happiness and moments of sorrow. That’s life. Job said that we are born to “few days, full of trouble” (Job 14:1), but Paul urges us to “rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4). We make choices in life with some choices being crystal clear as the thing to do, and other choices presenting dilemmas–what to do? We face trials, temptations and discouragement, but we also walk daily with the One who never leaves us or forsakes us (Hebrews 13:5).
It is up to us to have the right attitude toward life. Just as two shoppers in a grocery store buy different things, so each of us decides what we really want from life. It is important to know that we get from life what we put into it. It is also important to be real people, so that others will know who we really are, and we will know ourselves. Christ lived for others, and so should we. We will find our greatest happiness by sharing ourselves in Christian love. Let us “grow in grace.”
Spiritual maturity is our goal as we “grow in grace and knowledge.” It will always remain a goal for sincere Christians as long as they live. As the Apostle Paul said, “I don’t say that I have ‘arrived,’ but I press toward the mark” (Philippians 3:14). We are becomers. We will always be aiming at a deeper relationship with God and a better life, lived for Christ and other people.