My, How You Have Grown!

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” (II Peter 3:18)

Last week, the two greatest grandchildren in the history of the human race were in Kansas City to visit with Grandma and Grandpa (that’s us if you haven’t figured it out yet). A couple of years ago, our daughter and son-in-law moved to Chicago, and now we only get to see the kids a few times a year. Lots of people have this same situation, so no need to feel sorry for us. But when we see the kids now, we get to use the line above that so many before us have made famous. Our granddaughter Alexit is 12, and our grandson Kelson just turned 10. They are at that age where you have to buy new clothes for them every other week. Alexit is now exactly 3/8 of an inch shorter than her grandma, and Kelson is just over a full inch shorter. Yes, we measured.

Alexit and Kelson are getting tall, and at the same time, they have developed some qualities that are reflective of their current ages. They can feed and dress themselves, and carry on nearly adult conversation. They can also find every reason under the sun to pick at each other and fight, proving that they are normal kids with more room to grow. Their physical growth is taking place in concert with the natural maturity that one day soon will turn them into full fledged adults.

The Bible says when we get saved, we are “born again”. The same growth process in young children is reflected also in the spiritual growth of the believer. Peter tells us to grow in grace and in knowledge. Both are necessary in harmony and balance to produce a mature Christian. But unfortunately, often a believer will grow in one area but not the other. If a 12 year old still needs diapers changed and has not mastered basic language skills, something is wrong. Likewise, if she is well adjusted emotionally and mentally but hasn’t cracked the 3 foot barrier, you would be at the doctor’s office finding out why. Some Christians grow in grace, but not knowledge. They never really get into the meat of the word and find out what the Bible really says. Their entire spiritual life is made up of “cutsie” homespun platitudes that may or may not be Biblical, and they really don’t care to find out. They have grace because they understand that Jesus died for them, but it stops there. They develop an imbalance between God’s love and his justice and righteousness. These people view God as the great big warm and fuzzy marshmallow in the sky who just tolerates everyone and everything regardless of the truth.

Then there are those who grow in knowledge, but not in grace. They can “rightly divide the word of truth” with the best theologians in the body. They can tell you all about the Antichrist and all ten of his toes, and even tell you which one of his little piggies goes to market or stays home. They know all the laws, rules and regulations of the Bible and of their particular religion, and will be the first to see that others submit to them. But there is a harsh outer shell and arrogance that does not allow for the grace of God toward us frail humans. Psalm 103:14 says, “For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.” God does not tolerate sin, but he knows us. I John 2:1 says, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” His standard is sinless perfection. At the same time, he gave us an advocate to allow his grace to cover our sins through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Both sides of that “equation” are necessary. The Christian who just tip-toes through the tulips of la-la land needs to open his Bible and actually read it. The one who thinks everyone ought to conform to his particular theology and live by his standards of morality needs to look in a mirror sometime and see who he really is. One who grows both in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is “of full age” (Hebrews 5:14) – mature and complete in Christ – as tall as grandma, and fashioned in the image of our Father in heaven.