“You already know these things, dear friends. So be on guard; then you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. Rather you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen” (II Peter 3:17-18 NLT). In this passage the Apostle Peter emphasizes a knowledge that expresses an ever deepening experience of Christ and His grace. It includes growth in the understanding of His truth. This pattern should characterize the entire course of the believer’s life. Such growth will produce a more humble, more dependent and more secure believer.
Peter’s reference to not losing our secure footing struck me recently with renewed relevance. As I have been dealing with weakness in my leg I have become more acutely aware of the need for secure footing. I used to give no thought to going up and down steps. Holding to a rail has now become a vital part of my treading the ups and downs of steps. I am growing in my knowledge of the security provided by the handrails. They are a gracious provision for my physical weakness.
In a similar way the knowledge of the Lord Jesus and His grace provides spiritual security. The longer I live the greater should be my total dependence on Him. As I grow in my understanding of God the more clearly I see how completely trustworthy He is.
Peter, the author of the verses we are considering was once bold, brash and quite independent. He was full of self confidence. Jesus cautioned him with these words: “…when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you, and take you where you do not want to go” (John 21:18 NLT).
Each passing day should find us growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. As we do so, we will find that greater dependence on Him produces greater security for the day and for eternity.
—Terry Morrison