Keep Growing in Grace ... Unpacking the Message of 2 Peter 3:18
- Anthony Speciale
- Nov 13
- 10 min read
Greetings,
Keep Growing in Grace 🌿
Scripture reminds us:
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” — 2 Peter 3:18
Unpacking the Message of 2 Peter 3:18
When Peter writes, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” he is giving every believer a lifelong assignment—an invitation into continual transformation. This verse is not simply a suggestion; it’s a call to spiritual progress, a reminder that the Christian walk is never static. No matter how long someone has known Jesus, there is always more to discover, more to understand, more to experience, and more to become. Growth in God’s kingdom is not optional; it is essential, because anything that isn’t growing is either stuck or slowly dying. Peter is telling us that true discipleship is an ongoing journey, not a single moment of salvation.
Growing in grace means growing in our understanding of God’s unearned kindness toward us. Grace is not just what saves us—it sustains us, carries us, empowers us, and reshapes us day by day. To grow in grace means to live increasingly aware of the truth that everything good in us comes from God alone. It means becoming less self-reliant and more Christ-dependent. It means learning to release the pressure of performance and receiving the strength of His Spirit. As we grow in grace, we become more tender toward others, more patient with weaknesses—their weaknesses and our own—and more committed to extending the same mercy that God has extended to us.
We also grow in the knowledge of Jesus. But this knowledge is far more than intellectual information. It is relational, experiential, transformational knowledge. It is the knowledge that comes from walking with Christ daily, seeking Him, listening to Him, and submitting to Him. The more time we spend with Jesus—through Scripture, prayer, worship, and obedience—the more we begin to understand His heart. And as we understand His heart, our own hearts start to change. We begin to love what He loves. We begin to desire what He desires. We begin to reflect His nature not because we are trying harder, but because we are knowing Him better.
Peter ends the verse with a declaration of worship: “To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” This shows us that the end goal of our growth is not self-improvement; it is the glory of Jesus Christ. We grow not so that people will admire us, but so that people will see Him. Our spiritual development is meant to make His beauty more visible, His love more tangible, His power more evident, and His truth more compelling. Growth is not about perfection—it is about direction. It is about continually moving toward Jesus so that our lives increasingly reflect His glory to the world.
Notice also that this verse carries a sense of urgency. Peter wrote it knowing that his time on earth was coming to an end. His final message to believers was not about judgment, or persecution, or moral decline—though he addressed all of these things earlier in the letter. His final message was about growth. He wanted the Church to understand that the strongest protection against deception, discouragement, and drifting away is a growing relationship with Jesus. A believer who is growing is a believer who is anchored. Growth creates stability. Growth produces discernment. Growth keeps the flame of faith burning bright.
Growing in grace and knowledge also requires intention. It doesn’t happen accidentally or automatically. Spiritual growth is not like physical growth, which occurs with time. It requires pursuit. It requires desire. It requires discipline. If our spiritual lives feel stagnant, it’s not because God stopped speaking but because we stopped listening or stopped responding. But the beauty of grace is that at any moment, we can return, we can restart, we can re-engage the path of growth. The invitation is always open.
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One of the greatest obstacles to spiritual growth is complacency. When we believe we already know enough or that we’ve reached a comfortable spiritual level, growth stops. Peter is urging us to reject spiritual laziness and choose spiritual hunger instead. A hungry believer keeps leaning in. A hungry believer stays teachable. A hungry believer knows that no matter how much they have seen of Jesus, there is infinitely more. And that hunger keeps them moving forward.
Another barrier is condemnation—the belief that we have failed too deeply or too often to grow. But Peter tells us to grow in grace, which means our growth is rooted not in shame but in mercy. Grace allows us to get up after we fall. Grace turns mistakes into lessons. Grace transforms weakness into testimony. Grace keeps growth alive even in the places where we feel most inadequate.
Growing in the knowledge of Christ also means growing in obedience to Him. Knowledge without obedience produces pride, but knowledge with obedience produces Christlikeness. When we act on what Jesus teaches us, when we surrender to His will, when we follow His commands—even when they challenge us or stretch us—we become more like Him. Obedience is the soil where authentic growth flourishes.
As we grow in grace and knowledge, our perspective on life shifts. We stop viewing situations through the lens of fear or frustration, and start seeing them through the lens of God’s sovereignty and goodness. Growth deepens our trust. It strengthens our hope. It expands our spiritual vision. We begin to understand that every challenge is an opportunity to grow, every trial a chance to mature, every blessing a reason to praise.
And finally, this verse reminds us that spiritual growth is ultimately a response to the love of Jesus. We grow because He first loved us. We grow because He is worthy. We grow because His grace is too beautiful to neglect. We grow because His knowledge transforms everything it touches. We grow because our lives were designed to reflect His glory, not for a season, but “now and forever.”
2 Peter 3:18 calls us into a life of ongoing transformation—a life where grace molds us, where knowledge matures us, and where Christ-centered worship motivates us. This is the kind of growth that shapes our character, strengthens our faith, enriches our relationships, and deepens our purpose. It is the kind of growth that carries eternal significance.
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Here is our full 7-day journaling plan based on 2 Peter 3:18, complete with matching opening and closing prayers for each day — short, peaceful, and designed to frame each reflection with gratitude and calm.
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” — 2 Peter 3:18
Day 1 — The Call to Grow
Opening Prayer: Lord, as I begin this time with You, open my heart to receive Your truth. Help me desire spiritual growth and welcome the work You want to do in me. Amen.
Journaling Focus: Reflect on what spiritual growth looks like in your life today. Where have you grown in recent years? Where have you stayed the same? What would it look like to respond to God’s call to grow intentionally?
Closing Prayer: Father, thank You for reminding me that growth is Your will for my life. Strengthen my commitment to pursue You with a willing heart. Amen.
Day 2 — Growing in Grace
Opening Prayer: Gracious Lord, teach me today what it means to grow in Your grace. Soften my heart and let me experience Your mercy in deeper ways. Amen.
Journaling Focus: Write about the areas in your life where you need more grace—grace toward yourself, and grace toward others. How can you begin showing the same mercy God shows you?
Closing Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for the grace that never runs out. Help me reflect that grace in every area of my life. Amen.
Day 3 — Growing in Knowledge
Opening Prayer: Holy Spirit, guide me into truth today. Open my eyes to understand Jesus more intimately and personally. Amen.
Journaling Focus: Reflect on what you currently know about Jesus—not just facts, but personal experience. Where is He inviting you to know Him more deeply? How can Scripture play a bigger role in that?
Closing Prayer: Lord, thank You for revealing Yourself to me little by little. Give me a hunger for Your Word and a longing to know You more. Amen.
Day 4 — Obstacles to Growth
Opening Prayer: Father, speak gently to me as I examine the things that hold me back. Give me honesty, humility, and courage. Amen.
Journaling Focus: What hinders your spiritual growth? Fear? Distraction? Comfort? Shame? Busyness? Write about the barriers you notice and how Jesus might be leading you to overcome them.
Closing Prayer: Jesus, I surrender these obstacles to You. Remove what blocks my growth and strengthen my desire to keep moving forward. Amen.
Day 5 — Growth Through Obedience
Opening Prayer: Lord, prepare my heart to hear Your instruction and respond with a willing spirit. Help me walk in obedience. Amen.
Journaling Focus: How has obedience shaped your faith? Where is God currently calling you to obey Him? Reflect on the connection between obedience and spiritual maturity.
Closing Prayer: Thank You, Father, for guiding me. Give me the boldness to follow where You lead. Amen.
Day 6 — Growth Through Grace Toward Others
Opening Prayer: Jesus, help me reflect Your heart today. Teach me how to love, forgive, and extend grace like You do. Amen.
Journaling Focus: Growing in grace includes growing in how we treat people. Who do you need to forgive? Encourage? Understand better? How might God be shaping your character through your relationships?
Closing Prayer: Lord, shape my heart to be more patient, loving, and gracious. Help my growth bring You glory. Amen.
Day 7 — A Life That Brings Jesus Glory
Opening Prayer: Heavenly Father, as I finish this journaling journey, align my heart with Your purpose. Let my life reflect Your glory. Amen.
Journaling Focus: Reflect on the last seven days. How is God calling you to continue growing beyond this week? What habits, prayers, or rhythms can you begin to cultivate? Write a personal commitment to pursue growth in grace and knowledge.
Closing Prayer: Jesus, to You be the glory—now and forever. Continue shaping me long after this week ends. I commit my life, my growth, and my purpose to You. Amen.
Closing thoughts as we pray for those reading or hearing this verse today...
Dear Beloved in Christ,
Keep Growing in Grace 🌿
Life with Jesus is never meant to be stagnant. Every day is an invitation to grow deeper in grace and knowledge — to know Him more intimately, reflect Him more fully, and rely on Him more completely. Scripture reminds us:
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”— 2 Peter 3:18
Spiritual growth isn’t about perfection — it’s about pursuit. It’s choosing to lean into His Word when life feels uncertain.
It’s responding to His Spirit when you’re tempted to react in the flesh. It’s showing up daily, even in small ways, to learn from the One who loves you most.
As you go about your week, ask the Lord to stretch your faith. Invite Him to teach you new depths of His grace.
Every moment of surrender, every act of obedience, every whisper of trust draws you closer to the heart of Christ.
Keep growing — one step, one prayer, one act of faith at a time.
With grace and encouragement 🙏🏻
Be Relentless In Pursuit Of The Will
Which God Has Set Upon Your Life,
❤️ Anthony and Anna Speciale
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