Reflections on Second Peter 3:18 in Everyday Words
You know, the Bible tells us in Second Peter 3:18 that we should “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” For a long time, I thought this meant I had to do more, try harder, and stack up good deeds. But the more I’ve read and understood, the more I’ve realized that growing in grace isn’t about what I do—it’s about what God does in me.
Grace is this huge, amazing gift from God. It’s something we don’t deserve, but He gives it anyway. It’s what saves us, helps us become better people, and gives us hope for a future in heaven. Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us we’re saved by grace through faith—not our own efforts, so we can’t brag about it. And it doesn’t stop there: God’s grace is what keeps changing us, making us more like Jesus little by little.
Growing in grace is like growing up—it takes time. We don’t become perfect overnight, and honestly, we never reach perfection in this life. But as we read the Bible and pray, things start to change inside us. It’s not magic, and those things themselves (reading and praying) don’t change us; it’s God using them to help us grow.
Sometimes I think grace is like a light in a dark room. Without it, we’re stumbling around, lost and confused. But when God shines His grace on us, we can finally see where we’re going. The more we learn about Jesus—who He is, what He did for us—the more we notice and appreciate God’s grace in our lives. We start to understand that Jesus came to save us, and that’s the greatest gift of all.
But growing in grace isn’t about getting “more” grace from God. God’s grace is already infinite, overflowing—it can’t be measured or increased. Instead, growing in grace means realizing more and more how much grace we’ve already been given. It’s about opening our eyes to the love and sacrifice Jesus has for us every day. The better we know Jesus, the more like Him we become, and the more His character shows in our lives.
It’s also important to stay humble along the way. The Bible says God “resists the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). When we think we can do everything ourselves, we block out what God is trying to do in us. Being humble means recognizing that we need God, and that His ways are better than ours.
I love how Colossians 3:16 and 3:1-4 put it: let God’s Word fill us up, let’s focus our hearts and minds on what matters—on Jesus, not just the everyday stuff around us. Our real life is hidden in Christ, and as we follow Him, we’ll discover the life God meant for us to live.
And just like the Bible begins by telling how God made everything from nothing, God’s grace works in us the same way. Before we knew Him, our hearts were empty, confused, and dark. But by His grace, He gives us a new start—a new creation inside us.
So, if you ever feel like you’re not growing fast enough, or you’re not “good enough,” remember this: it’s not about your power to change, but God’s. Keep turning to Him, keep reading, keep praying, and trust that He’s working in you. His grace is more than enough to light your way, lead you closer to Him, and fill your life with hope.
Minister A Francine Green
August 2025
afrancinegreen.com 