Friday, February 6, 2026

“Spiritual Progress” (2 Peter 3:13a)

 

EVENING SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 2/6/2026 7:16 PM

My Worship Time                                                                               Focus:  “Spiritual Progress”

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                                Reference:  2 Peter 3:13a”

            Message of the verse:  “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

            John MacArthur writes:  “Instead of falling prey to the schemes of false teachers, Peter encouraged his readers to pursue Christlikeness and spiritual growth—a goal that every believer should have.  The apostle Paul gave similar instruction to the Ephesians.”

“14  so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15  Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16  from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (Eph. 4:14-16)

            MacArthur continues “Grow (auxano) means ‘to advance, or increase in the sphere of.’  We are to grow in grace through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Because of His grace, God forgives the sins of His children (Rom. 3:15; Eph. 1:7; 2:5, 8; cf. Acts 15:11).”

(Rom. 3:15; Eph. 1:7; 2:5, 8; cf. Acts 15:11)

“15  "Their feet are swift to shed blood;”

“7  In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,”

“5  even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved”

“8  For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,”

“11  And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.”

“They in turn feed on Scripture (Acts 17:11; 2 Tim. 2:15) and commune with Christ (John 1:9-10; 3:10;)”

(Acts 17:11; 2 Tim. 2:15)

“11  Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”

“15  Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”

(John 1:9-10; 3:10)

9  The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10  He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.”

“10  Jesus answered him, "Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?”

“In his earlier letter, Peter had commented on this very process, exhorting his readers: ‘Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation’ (1 Peter 2:2).  As their knowledge and maturity increase, Christians are better prepared to fend off destructive doctrines and spiritual deceptions.

            “It is  crucial to note that Peter designated Jesus as both Lord and Savior.  Pursuing a deeper understanding of the fullness of Christ’s person, both in His saving work and His lordship (Rom. 5:1; Eph. 4:15-16; Phil. 2:12-14; 3:10, 12-14), will provide believers with the doctrinal stability they need to avoid being misled.”

(Rom. 5:1; Eph. 4:15-16; Phil. 2:12-14; 3:10, 12-14)

  1 ¶  Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.’

“15  Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16  from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”

“12 ¶  Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13  for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 14 ¶  Do all things without grumbling or disputing,”

“10  that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,”

“12  Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13  Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14  I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

2/6/2026 7:41 PM

 

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