INTENTIONAL GROWTH IN GRACE

9/2/2025

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

Spiritual growth should be the desire of every Christian—because it is the desire of our Heavenly Father. Scripture reminds us in 1 Timothy 2:4 that God “wants all people to be saved and to come to know the truth fully.” In other words, while salvation is the starting point of our walk with Him, God desires more. He wants us to grow—intentionally.

Unintentional growth is dangerous. Just like in nature, when growth is not cultivated, it can become stunted or even harmful. In Matthew 13, Jesus taught the parable of the sower. The seed was God’s Word, and while it was sown everywhere, only the seed that fell on good ground produced a harvest. But good ground doesn’t just happen—it must be prepared, tended, and nurtured. Likewise, when God’s Word enters a heart that longs for growth and is intentional about it, the result is fruitfulness.

1 Peter 2:2 (AMP) urges: “Like newborn babies [you should] long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may be nurtured and grow in respect to salvation [its ultimate fulfillment].” The NLT puts it this way: “…so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment.”Growth begins with desire.

Our opening text is a clarion call: “…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). The word “grace” here, according to Strong’s Concordance, refers to “divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life.” This means you can increase God’s influence on your heart—and increase its visible reflection in your life—through the knowledge of His Word. That’s why Peter also prayed: “Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord” (2 Peter 1:2). The extent of grace and peace in your life will always match the extent of your knowledge of Christ.

Beloved, this month God is calling you to pursue spiritual growth with intentionality. Don’t leave it to chance. Have a plan—a 6-week, 3-month, or even 6-month growth plan as the Lord leads you. Set specific areas of focus, and measure your progress not by comparing yourself with others, but against where you were before you started.

Perhaps your area of growth is peace. Or maybe patience. Maybe it’s gentleness with people, consistency in prayer, or diligence in studying the Word. Whatever it is, let it begin with a sincere desire. Then immerse yourself in God’s Word concerning that area. Listen for the Spirit’s instructions, and obey promptly. Hearing and doing the Word is what produces true growth.

Peter sums it up beautifully in 2 Peter 1:5–9:

“…giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.”

You are blessed. Grow with purpose, and let your life bear fruit that glorifies Christ.

Faith-Filled Confession

I declare that the grace of God is increased in my life. In all that I do, I have the grace-advantage. Excellence, glory, virtue, and success exude from me today because of God’s grace that is at work in me. Everywhere I go today, I am accepted and highly favored, for I carry God’s divine presence with me. I am growing in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Glory! My life is for the glory of God. 

My clouds are full of rain; yes, this is my set time to experience the unprecedented favour and manifold blessings in every area of my life. All things are commanded to work together for my good because I love the Lord, and I’ve been called according to His purpose. Everything I require for life and godliness has been delivered unto me, and I am enjoying life to the full. Glory. 

I can never be disadvantaged; for I am fully persuaded that greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. No adversity or adverse circumstance can overwhelm me because I am more than a conqueror. I am convinced of my eternal victory over satan, his demons, and the world, therefore I rejoice in the Lord my God because is my season of recovery. Blessed be God

Prayer Point

Increase grace

Visibility of his presence through us

Church growth.