Pastor's Corner: Growing in God's Grace

Ephesians 2:8 tells us that we are saved by grace through faith, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God. We are to grow and mature in this grace. We need to get out of the sandbox and mature in the Lord.

I remember when I was in kindergarten at Vineland School and getting mad at some other kids. Running out of the class to go home, the vice principal picked me up on the way. I remember at Richland School getting swats from a couple of principals.

I like to think that over the years that I have grown in the Lord’s grace and matured a little bit. The Bible gives us instruction on how to grow in God’s grace.

To grow in Gods grace you have to study Gods Word. The Bible tells us in 1st Peter 2:1-8 to lay aside all malice, guile, hypocrisies, envies and all evil speakings. It says as newborn babes, we should desire the sincere milk of the Word and grow. The Bible says ”All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness.” Second Timothy 2:15 tells us to study God’s Word.

Hide God’s Word in your heart. It’s your anchor in the time of storm. Times change, but the foundation of God stands sure. His Word is forever settled in Heaven, and you can trust it.

Grow in God’s grace by doing the Word of God. James 1:22 says, “But be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

To grow in God’s grace, stay away from things that hinder your spiritual development. First Peter 2:11 says, “Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.” Whatever hinders you spiritually, stay away from.

To grow in God’s grace, cultivate the fruits of the Spirit in your life. Let the fruit of the Spirit be seen in your life: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.

Grow in the grace of God and let the good works of the Lord be seen in your life.