December 17 - Grow in Grace

 Read today’s texts first: 2 Peter 1-3; John 1

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

Be warned - like a dog returns to his vomit or a pig
to his mud, believers can turn away from their faith! 

Peter has a similar emphasis to James. He knows from experience how it is possible to fall from grace. While some would teach that it is impossible to lose your salvation, they have to explain away much of what these two eye witnesses teach in their letters.

Peter was the disciple that bragged how he would die to defend Jesus (John 13:37,38) but when Jesus needed him most, he denied he even knew Him, on three separate occasions, complete with curses from the fisherman’s potty mouth he thought he had left far behind (Mark 14:66-72).

But Peter was deeply remorseful and Jesus restored him once again with three confessions of faith to match his three denials (John 21:15-19). Within 50 days of his denials and a few days after his restoration, Peter had become the key leader of the first church (Acts 2). Now as a seasoned leader, approaching the day he would in fact lay his life down defending Jesus (2 Peter 1:14,15), Peter is warning his fellow believers to supplement their faith and grow in grace (1:5-11; 3:17-18).

He starts by acknowledging that their standing is equal to his because of their common foundation of faith, the finished work of Jesus (1:1-4). When we ask Jesus to forgive our sins we all start from the same place, as fully redeemed children of God. But Peter is equally clear that if we don’t keep practicing our faith (1:10) we can fall, just like the apostate believers he lists in chapter 2. He is saying, out of his own experience, from the examples of others, and by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, it is possible to turn away from our faith, like a dog returns to his vomit or a pig to his mud!

“Lord, while I know Your grace is sufficient for my salvation I have a responsibility to continue working out my salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). Thank you that Your grace is sufficient to save me once and for all time. To You be the glory both now and to the day of eternity!  Amen. (3:18)”