2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

This is an exhortation from Peter to the believers of his day. He was reminding them of the certainty of the coming of the Day of the Lord. Despite the fact that it seemed delayed they should “live holy and godly lives.” That exhortation is still valid today for believers and while we wait we need to continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

How do you know if you are growing? Does spending time in God’s presence bring you joy? His presence is where you are, not just in church or some other “organized” setting. And if you are availing yourself of that joy, it means that life’s challenges don’t knock you out the way they used to. So, are you experiencing victories? When you do, make note of them so that you can remind yourself that your God enabled you to leap over that wall. Pray always to become more aware of his presence.

Do you hear God’s voice speaking to you? The Holy Spirit is your guide, teacher, enabler, revealer of secrets. When you seek to do God’s will, it is the Holy Spirit who will make it plain. He will interpret God to you. One of the most enriching experiences is to have the Holy Spirit reveal God’s character to you. “I am your Savior Deliverer.” That took on enormous meaning for me when my home lay in shambles after a hurricane. You begin to know your Lord for yourself.

Are you growing in grace? Grace has been defined in various ways. The most succinct definition I have heard is: “the unmerited favor of God”. Don’t deserve it, can’t work for it! It flows to us just because he loves us so. It is this grace, when we receive it, recognize it and begin to comprehend the magnitude of it, which will allow us to let it flow through us to others. We begin to learn empathy, forgiveness and generosity.