Together in Christ: 'A Nudge to Grow' — 2 Peter 3:18

Thursday, July 27, 2023

Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.
— 2 Peter 3:18 NLT

Key Thought

Nearly all of us go through times when we lose our focus, become lazy spiritually, and think we can coast by slacking off on our efforts to grow spiritually. At such times, we need a respected Christian friend or mentor to nudge us to grow in the direction of Christlikeness. [1] This is what Peter is doing in his letter to struggling believers. Paraphrasing him, Peter says, "Grow in your grace and knowledge of Jesus. You need to grow both ways! Jesus is the glorious one. [2] He is your goal in your spiritual life. [3] False teachers twist the Scriptures, and wicked people can influence you to lose your footing as you seek to follow Jesus. [4] Get back to pursuing and reflecting Jesus in your daily lives!" [5]

Dear friend in Jesus, I believe this is our nudge to re-engage passionately with Jesus — to pursue Him, His teaching, and His example that we find in the gospels — Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. And, let's ask the Holy Spirit, our Anointing from God, [6] to guide us into all the truth about Jesus. [7] Let's pursue Jesus and trust that the Holy Spirit is conforming and transforming us, so we follow the example and live by the teaching of Jesus! [8]

[1] 1 Corinthians 4:17; Colossians 2:6.
[2] The context of our verse, 2 Peter 1:16-21, 3:14-18.
[3] Luke 6:40; Colossians 1:28-29.
[4] Acts 20:28-31; 2 Peter 2:1, 12; 1 John 2:18-27.
[5] 2 Corinthians 3:17-18.
[6] John uses the word "Anointing" to speak of the Holy Spirit in 1 John 2 — the NLT has "Holy Spirit" for "the Anointing" in 1 John 2:20, 27.
[7] 1 John 2:27.
[8] 2 Corinthians 3:18.

Today's Prayer

Loving Father, forgive me for the times I've lost my passion and coasted in my spiritual life and not loved you and haven't followed Jesus with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Please refresh my spirit with the Holy Spirit as I invite my heavenly Anointing to renew my pursuit of Jesus and transform me to be like him. I ask this in the name and by the authority of my Savior. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 2 Peter 3:14-18; 1 John 2:18-29
  • 2 Corinthians 3:1-18; Colossians 1:28-29

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Illustration

Illustration of 2 Peter 3:18 NLT — Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.

About This Devotional

Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.

'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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