Wed., 5/21/14 Devotion (2 Pet. 3:18a)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Peter 3:18a, where we read these words:

" . . . But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. . . . "

How does a whole church *grow* in "the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"? Primarily, by being well-fed. The context of Peter's injunction (above) is largely that of the proper use and understanding of the word of God (the sacred scriptures)—especially as they are preached as the gospel of grace.

Christians *grow* when they ingest Jesus—being hungry for His Person. The written word, which is the base and foundation of the church's preached word, always points to the Incarnate Word (Christ, the "Logos," of Jn. 1:1). This "Word" is the ultimate Revelation of God. Christ feeds us His own "flesh" and "blood," in the preached Gospel, and in the proper administration of the sacrament of The Lord's Supper.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Every godly, gracious man is a praying man."
--William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]