We cannot grow in grace without knowledge

 We cannot grow in grace without knowledge 

Within the community of believers, you often encounter the term "grace," a widely used expression. But what exactly do we mean by "grace"? The grace of God signifies an undeserved favor, bestowed upon us due to His profound affection for His creation (2 Timothy 1:9, Psalms 103:8, Titus 2:11-12). It provides us with the capacity and ability to fulfill God's tasks and directives

     Grace empowers us to love, forgive, persevere, and adhere to the teachings of the scriptures. When the scriptures state, "Not by might nor power, but by the Spirit of God" (Zechariah 4:6b), it signifies that the Holy Spirit grants us the grace and capacity to fulfill God's instructions. The grace of God is an unearned favor, As followers of Christ, our growth in grace is founded on our knowledge and understanding of Christ. To embark on this exploration of grace, let's commence with the following scripture:

    "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.' Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me. So I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, and with difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak [in human strength], then I am strong [truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God’s strength] 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (Amplified Bible).

    These verses emphasize the adequacy of God's grace, especially in times of vulnerability and trials. The Apostle Paul not only acknowledges his weaknesses but also grasps that in those very moments, the power of Christ becomes more evident and impactful. Grace equips us to achieve tasks beyond our own strength and capabilities. As you approach God and stay in His presence, your potential or capacity begins to grow in line with the purpose He has designated for you. This can only be attained through a deep understanding of Him. Let me demonstrate this through the scriptures. 'The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant (Psalms 25:14-15). This scripture conveys the message that when you hold a deep reverence for the Lord, He will reveal the mysteries and inner workings of His covenant to you. This fear of the Lord entails both obeying His divine laws and earnestly seeking His presence, all the while taking joy in His Word. As you reach these milestones and gain a deep understanding of the fear of the Lord, He graciously imparts knowledge to you. This is why Scripture affirms, "Then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God" (Proverbs 2:4-5). It is because He makes knowledge known to you and bestows wisdom, granting an understanding of that knowledge, as the Scriptures confirm: "The Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding" (Proverbs 2:6).

    Then wisdom and knowledge will serve as your guiding light in all situations, making you a discerning and strong believer. It will empower you with the understanding to apply God's word appropriately and teach you how not to pray amiss, but rather to be led by the Holy Spirit in your prayers. You'll discern the right season to pray, how to pray, and the various types of prayer (including warfare, thanksgiving, intercession, etc.), ensuring you pray the right prayer at the right time. This is why Scripture affirms, "Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times And the strength of salvation; The fear of the Lord is His treasure" (Isaiah 33:6). Now, you understand that the fear of the Lord is a treasure. You grasp the authority you walk in and the protection it provides.

    With all that said, you cannot grow in grace without a knowledge and understanding of the Word of God. How do you accomplish that? Ask the Holy Spirit to grant you wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, and then begin reading your Bible. It's from what you know that the Holy Spirit will teach you, revealing what He wants you to understand in the Scriptures. God does not contradict Himself in His Word; He is not the author of confusion. Always verify with the Scriptures.

    Please pray this simple prayer with me:

Father, I submit my entire life to You. You created me in Your own image for Your pleasure; use me, Lord. Your Word says, 'The Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding' (Proverbs 2:6). Lord, I'm earnestly seeking Your wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Your Word also tells us that if we ask for wisdom, You generously give it without reproach (James 1:5). So, Father, I humbly request an abundance of Your wisdom.

    Bless me with this wisdom so that I may have the capacity to apply Your Word appropriately and fully embrace Your grace. Grant me the grace to study Your Word so that I can truly know You, my God. I thank You in advance for answering my prayer. In the mighty name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Cultivating a prayer life is of paramount importance for your spiritual journey, particularly in a fast-paced society where allocating exclusive time for prayer can be challenging. The solution is clear: "Simply Prayer for Our Daily Journey," a scripture-enriched prayer book designed for all aspects of life. Additionally, pair it with a Faith-building scripture book to assist you in persevering through the waiting time on God’s promises and strengthening your faith. However, it's essential to note that this prayer book doesn't replace genuine, quality time with God; you must spend dedicated time with Him.