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NASB | 2 Peter 3:18 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. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Peter 3:18 but grow [spiritually mature] in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory (honor, majesty, splendor), both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. |
Bible Question: If I were a new christian how would you explain to me about growing in Grace and Knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ? note:that it is a two part statement."Grace and Knowledge" |
Bible Answer: Hi: We are born of the Spirit because God so chose. He chooses us rather than we choosing Him. He chose us from before the foundation of the world. When we are born, we are a "babe" in Christ. A beginning Christian or Babe is unskilled in righteousness, both in the understanding of it and because of this lack of knowledge also carrying it out. We cannot carry out what we do not know how to do. To advance from this "Babe" stage to the mature stage, is also not in our power to do, but if God wills it, we will mature through His help. We will learn through the Spirit to gain knowledge, and through applying what we learn we grow in righteousness ( if that is what you mean by grace. A "babe" knows about repentance, baptism, faith, forgiveness, judgement and the like, but is unskilled in righteousness both in knowledge and working of it. "Milk" is the beginning things mentioned above. "Srong meat is knowledge of righteousness and living in it for the mature Christian. Scripture references: The scripture that tells us this is the following: Hebrews 5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Once we have a beginning we must strive to not stop at this point, but to become mature Christians. We can only do this if God permits it. Hebrews 6:6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this will we do, if God permit. IN short your answer is this: We have no power in being born again. It is something that God controls. God also has a real hand in whether we mature or not after we are born. We can have an interest or zeal for God, He does the rest. We are are wholy dependent on Him. We depend on Him to be born again. We depend on Him to sustain us after that. Sincerely Henry and Emmy |