Thurs., 5/21/15 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 church full of sincere Christians *grow* in "the grace and know-ledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"? Certainly, by being well-fed. The context of Peter's injunction (above) is largely that of the proper use and un-derstanding of the word of God (the sacred scriptures)—particularly as they are preached.

Believers *grow* when we ingest the word—being hungry for its nourishment. The written word, which is the base and foundation of the church's preached word, always points to the Incarnate Word (the "Logos," of Jn. 1:1). This "Word” (Christ) is the ultimate Revelation of God. Only He (Jesus) can "feed" us. He 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"]