Grow In Grace (Part 1): A Compelling Focus
Photo Courtesy of Nathan Dumlao
grow in grace
There are countless things that grab at our attention on a daily basis. And every action we take is an indication of what we’ve decided to give attention to. The Apostle Peter knew this truth & recognized the threat we would face in keeping our attention in the right place. Thus, leading him to write a second letter to Believers in Asia Minor, with the purpose of “stirring them up and awakening them to a proper mindset” (2 Peter 1, TPT).
With the 3rd & final chapter of his letter, that’s exactly what Peter does. He urges them to remember the big picture by highlighting the Second Coming of Christ & what His Return represents. In verses 10-11, he says:
“The day of the Lord will come and take everyone by surprise…The atmosphere will be set on fire and vanish with a horrific roar, and the heavenly bodies will melt away as in a tremendous blaze. The earth and every activity of man will be laid bare. Since all these things are on the verge of being dismantled, don’t you see how vital it is to live a holy life?
…But as we wait, we trust in God’s royal proclamation to be fulfilled. There are coming heavens new in quality, and an earth new in quality, where righteousness will be fully at home.”
It’s incredibly sobering to consider everything you know being “dismantled”, but that’s why Peter doesn’t pull any punches. For the people of God, it’s a strong reminder to keep us from drifting in our faith. But more than that, it’s an encouragement that we never wait for Christ in a state of desperation. But rather—
We await His Return with eager expectation.
A new heaven and a new earth, where everything & everyone is found in their rightful place. This is what we have to look forward to. We know, with Christ-centered confidence, the best is yet to come. But while we wait, there’s work to be done. And verse 18 instructs us in what we’re called to do.
“…Continue to grow and increase in God’s grace and intimacy with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
2 Peter 3:18 (TPT)
What do we do while we’re waiting? We grow in grace. Every day, we embrace the favor of God that now rests on us. Every day, we grow in intimacy with the One who saved us and now sustains us. And every day, we have the opportunity to grow closer to the full measure of—
who we are in Christ.
fastened to the future
If there’s anybody who knew what it meant to grow in God’s grace, it was the Apostle Paul. Often times we point to the great things Paul did, but it’s worth considering “how” he got to such a powerful place in his walk with Christ. Paul gives the following insight in Philippians 3:8, 13 (TPT), which says:
“To truly know him meant letting go of everything from my past and throwing all my boasting on the garbage heap. It’s all like a pile of manure to me now, so that I may be enriched in the reality of knowing Jesus Christ and embrace him as Lord in all of his greatness. I don’t depend on my own strength to accomplish this; however I do have one compelling focus:
I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead.”
Paul had a powerful practice. Forgetting the past & fastening his heart to the future. This “compelling focus” is what drove Paul deeper into his calling in Christ. For Paul, God’s undeserved kindness wasn’t just “something”—
His grace meant everything.
Because of Jesus, your path now points to an entirely different future. And walking this path requires a different focus. A focus that abandons the old vision of the past. A focus that’s fastened to your new future. A focus that’s compelling. A focus—
That’s Christ-Centered.
*In this series, we’ll be taking a deeper look at individual areas of opportunity to grow in God’s grace. But for today, we’ll highlight 3 key thoughts to help fuel a mindset that’s future-focused.
1) Don’t Diminish your joy
“Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you will get neither.”
-C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
There are only two options we have in this life. If we choose to focus on God & His Kingdom, we find ultimate joy in everything God promises to His children. If we aim for anything less than His best, we only end up with a facade—a bankruptcy of true & lasting joy. Therefore, Philippians 3:1 tells us:
“…don’t ever limit your joy or fail to rejoice in the wonderful experience of knowing our Lord Jesus!
I don’t mind repeating what I’ve already written you because it protects you— beware of those religious hypocrites who teach that you should be circumcised to please God. For we have already experienced “heart-circumcision,” and we worship God in the power and freedom of the Holy Spirit, not in laws and religious duties.
We are those who boast in what Jesus Christ has done, and not in what we can accomplish in our own strength.”
It’s time we stop setting our aim so low in life. To stop allowing our joy to be crippled by the influence of a striving spirit. The illusion of joy is based on what your hands can produce for you. The reality of joy comes from—
The Hands that were pierced for you.
Make no mistake, our God wants us to experience joy & joy unending. But He never promised we would find it apart from Him. Where there is no Jesus, there is no joy. But when you seek to know Jesus—
You will never cease to know joy.
2) invest your inheritance
“He responded, “Every scholar of the Scriptures, who is instructed in the ways of heaven’s kingdom realm, is like a wealthy home owner with his house filled with treasures both new and old.”
Matthew 13:52 (TPT)
After revealing many truths about God’s Kingdom ways, Jesus drops this amazing insight on His disciples. Here’s what’s so amazing…we know that anyone born-again is now considered part of the Body of Christ. Making us “homeowners” of the Holy Spirit. Which means—
we’re filled with treasures both new & old.
There are “old treasures”, which speak to the truths that have been established & founded on what God has already revealed. And there are “new treasures” of insight that we will receive at the proper time. As those devoted to Christ, we need both (The Passion Translation). The question is, what are we to do with our riches?
1 Timothy 6:18-19 (TPT) says:
“Remind the wealthy to be rich in remarkable works of extravagant generosity, willing to share with others. These spiritual investments will provide a beautiful foundation for their lives and secure for them a great future, as they lay their hands upon the meaning of true life.”
There’s no doubt this instruction is directed towards people with material wealth. But given that we’re in possession of the unfading riches of God, how much more should we readily align ourselves with the power of this truth?
When we seek the Lord diligently & authentically, we will find ourselves on a never-ending tour of the treasures He has in store. When we ask Him, God’s Spirit will open our eyes to all we’ve been trusted with. And when we allow Him, He’ll personally show us what it means to lay up treasures in Heaven. As children of God, we’re richly blessed. And as blessed people—
we’re called to bless others.
3) surrender your Scale
Significant: “Having or likely to have a major effect”.
One of the greatest hindrances to moving forward in faith, is believing the lie that “your faith” is insignificant. That at the end of the day, it does not & will not ever amount to anything meaningful. The reality is, when we focus on what Jesus taught, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In Matthew 13:31-32 (TPT), He says:
“Heaven’s kingdom can be compared to the tiny mustard seed that a man takes and plants in his field. Although the smallest of all the seeds, it eventually grows into the greatest of garden plants, becoming a tree for birds to come and build their nests in its branches.”
Jesus also told us the “greatest” people in His Kingdom would be like a “small” child. That those who operate in humility would be lifted to the highest honor. And as the Suffering Servant of God, He demonstrated this truth by sowing His life as the “seed” that is now the greatest garden plant. And as a follower of Christ—
your life now nests in his branches.
So many of us are stalling out in our faith because we’ve traded the mustard-seed mindset for some other meaningless measure. Jesus told us that with “faith the size of a mustard seed, we could move mountains”. There’s not an emotional, relational, financial, physical, or spiritual mountain that can’t be moved when we stand in faith. If you want to move mountains—
you have to surrender your scale.
There is nothing more significant than the love of God that is poured out on us through Christ Jesus. Faith that remains rooted in this love knows no bounds, because the love of God is boundless. Let the significance of His love stir your faith. And as it does—
“…He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you.”
Ephesians 3:20 (TPT)
Your Life’s currency
“So be very careful how you live, not being like those with no understanding, but live honorably with true wisdom, for we are living in evil times.
Take full advantage of every day as you spend your life for his purposes.”
Ephesians 5:15-16 (TPT)
Your “life’s currency” is being spent every single day. The question is, are you taking full advantage? Are you putting it toward anything of lasting purpose? God has given each of us a measure of faith, and it’s imperative that we continue to move forward.
Today is the day to stop living as one who lacks understanding. To instead live a God-honoring life filled with the wisdom of His Kingdom. Though the times are evil, our God is Good. And His goodness was given so you could glorify Him.
May His Spirit inspire you to regain a compelling focus. To live with a fearless pursuit of all His future holds for you. Because where you’re going, requires growing. And in order to grow, you have to sow. Today’s the day to sow your seed. Today’s the day—
To Embrace God’s Grace.
Keep growing in your faith
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today’s Takeaways
We await his return with eager expectation.
know Jesus, know joy.
grow in grace & sow your seed.