Growing in Grace: A Journey of Relational Knowledge

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, it's crucial to understand that grace is not merely about forgiveness; it is about a continuous, interactive relationship with God. This relationship is what the Bible refers to as "knowledge." When the prophet speaks to Israel, saying, "You only have I known of all the nations of the earth," it signifies a unique covenant relationship, not a lack of awareness of other nations. This biblical concept of knowledge is about interaction and relationship, not just intellectual understanding.

The same principle applies when we read about Adam knowing Eve or Mary saying she has not known a man. These instances highlight the depth of interaction and relationship, beyond mere acquaintance. Grace and knowledge are intertwined, as seen in 2 Peter 3:18, which urges us to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." This growth is an imperative, a call to action, emphasizing our role in the process of holiness.

Our spiritual journey involves actively participating in this growth. While God handles His part, we are called to engage in the human aspect of holiness. This involves deepening our understanding and relationship with God, moving beyond surface-level knowledge to a profound, interactive experience. I challenge you to rewrite 2 Peter 3:18 in your own words, incorporating this understanding of grace and knowledge, and share it with a spiritual friend. This exercise will help solidify the concept in your mind and encourage you to live it out in your daily walk with God.

Key Takeaways:

1. Grace is more than forgiveness; it is an ongoing, interactive relationship with God. This relationship is the essence of biblical knowledge, which goes beyond intellectual understanding to a deep, personal connection with the divine. [00:22]

2. The biblical concept of "knowing" involves entering into a covenant relationship, as seen in God's unique relationship with Israel. This knowledge is about interaction and commitment, not just awareness. [00:46]

3. The examples of Adam knowing Eve and Mary not knowing a man illustrate the depth of relational knowledge, emphasizing the importance of interaction and intimacy in our spiritual lives. [01:36]

4. 2 Peter 3:18 calls us to grow in grace and knowledge, highlighting our active role in the process of holiness. This growth is an imperative, urging us to deepen our relationship with God. [01:56]

5. Our spiritual journey requires us to engage in the human aspect of holiness, moving beyond surface-level understanding to a profound, interactive experience with God. This involves rewriting and internalizing scripture to reflect our personal relationship with Him. [02:43]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:22] - Understanding Grace and Knowledge
[00:46] - Covenant Relationship with God
[01:05] - Biblical Concept of Knowing
[01:36] - Relational Knowledge in Scripture
[01:56] - Growing in Grace and Knowledge
[02:19] - The Imperative of Spiritual Growth
[02:43] - Our Role in Holiness
[03:05] - Engaging in Interactive Faith
[03:33] - Challenge to Personalize Scripture

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- 2 Peter 3:18
- Amos 3:2
- Genesis 4:1

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#### Observation Questions
1. What does the sermon suggest is the biblical meaning of "knowledge"? How does this differ from our usual understanding of the term? [00:22]
2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between grace and knowledge? [01:56]
3. What examples from the Bible are used in the sermon to illustrate the concept of "knowing" as an interactive relationship? [01:36]
4. According to the sermon, what is the human part of holiness, and why is it important? [02:43]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of "knowing" as a covenant relationship with God challenge or affirm your current understanding of your faith journey? [00:46]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that grace is more than just forgiveness? How does this impact the way one might live out their faith? [00:22]
3. How does the imperative to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord" in 2 Peter 3:18 relate to the idea of an interactive relationship with God? [01:56]
4. What might be the implications of viewing holiness as a partnership between God's role and our active participation? [02:43]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current relationship with God. In what ways can you move beyond surface-level understanding to a more profound, interactive experience? [02:43]
2. The sermon challenges us to rewrite 2 Peter 3:18 in our own words. How would you express this verse to reflect your personal understanding of grace and knowledge? [02:19]
3. Consider a time when you experienced grace as more than forgiveness. How did this shape your relationship with God and others? [00:22]
4. Identify one area in your life where you can actively participate in your spiritual growth. What steps can you take this week to engage more deeply in this area? [02:43]
5. How can you incorporate the biblical concept of "knowing" into your daily interactions with others, fostering deeper relationships? [01:36]
6. Think of a spiritual friend with whom you can share your rewritten version of 2 Peter 3:18. How might this exercise strengthen your mutual faith journey? [03:33]
7. What practical actions can you take to ensure that your understanding of grace and knowledge translates into a living, active faith? [03:05]

Devotional

Day 1: Grace as a Relationship, Not Just Forgiveness
Grace is often misunderstood as merely a means of forgiveness, but it is much more profound. It represents an ongoing, interactive relationship with God, where believers are invited to engage deeply with the divine. This relationship is what the Bible refers to as "knowledge," which goes beyond intellectual understanding to a personal connection. When God says to Israel, "You only have I known of all the nations of the earth," it signifies a unique covenant relationship, not a lack of awareness of other nations. This biblical concept of knowledge emphasizes interaction and relationship, urging believers to move beyond surface-level understanding to a profound, interactive experience with God. [00:22]

Hosea 6:6 (ESV): "For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper, more interactive relationship with God today, moving beyond simply seeking forgiveness?


Day 2: Covenant Relationship with God
The biblical concept of "knowing" involves entering into a covenant relationship, as seen in God's unique relationship with Israel. This knowledge is about interaction and commitment, not just awareness. It is a call to engage in a deeper relationship with God, where believers are invited to participate actively in their spiritual journey. This covenant relationship is not just about knowing facts about God but involves a commitment to live in accordance with His will and purposes. It is a call to action, urging believers to deepen their relationship with God and grow in their understanding of His grace and knowledge. [00:46]

Amos 3:2 (ESV): "You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities."

Reflection: What steps can you take to strengthen your covenant relationship with God, ensuring it is based on interaction and commitment?


Day 3: Relational Knowledge in Scripture
The examples of Adam knowing Eve and Mary not knowing a man illustrate the depth of relational knowledge, emphasizing the importance of interaction and intimacy in our spiritual lives. This biblical concept of knowing goes beyond mere acquaintance to a profound, intimate relationship. It is a call to engage deeply with God, moving beyond surface-level understanding to a profound, interactive experience. This relational knowledge is essential for spiritual growth, as it allows believers to experience the fullness of God's grace and love in their lives. [01:36]

Genesis 4:1 (ESV): "Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, 'I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.'"

Reflection: How can you deepen your relational knowledge of God, moving beyond mere acquaintance to a more intimate connection?


Day 4: Growing in Grace and Knowledge
2 Peter 3:18 calls believers to grow in grace and knowledge, highlighting their active role in the process of holiness. This growth is an imperative, urging believers to deepen their relationship with God and engage in the human aspect of holiness. It is a call to action, emphasizing the importance of actively participating in one's spiritual journey. This growth involves moving beyond surface-level understanding to a profound, interactive experience with God, where believers are invited to engage deeply with the divine and grow in their understanding of His grace and knowledge. [01:56]

Colossians 1:10 (ESV): "So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to actively grow in grace and knowledge, deepening your relationship with God?


Day 5: Engaging in Interactive Faith
Our spiritual journey requires us to engage in the human aspect of holiness, moving beyond surface-level understanding to a profound, interactive experience with God. This involves rewriting and internalizing scripture to reflect our personal relationship with Him. It is a call to engage deeply with the divine, moving beyond mere intellectual understanding to a personal connection. This interactive faith is essential for spiritual growth, as it allows believers to experience the fullness of God's grace and love in their lives. By engaging in this interactive faith, believers are invited to participate actively in their spiritual journey and grow in their understanding of God's grace and knowledge. [02:43]

James 1:22 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."

Reflection: How can you engage more deeply in your faith today, ensuring it is interactive and reflective of your personal relationship with God?

Quotes

The grace wherein you stand is not just forgiveness; it is interaction, constant interaction with God. That's what knowledge is. Knowledge biblically is not what we call head knowledge; it's interactive relationship. So when the Prophet says to Israel on behalf of God, "You only have I known of all the nations of the earth," okay, now try to get the idea here. [00:00:13]

God is not saying I don't know anything about the Nubians or the Eskimos. You're the only people I have any knowledge of. Obviously, he's not saying that, right? He knows about all of them. What is he saying? That's where you get the biblical conception of know is interaction. What he is saying is you're the only people on earth that I have entered covenant relationship with. [00:00:46]

When Adam knew Eve, it was not just head knowledge. When Mary said, "I know not a man," she wasn't saying, "I don't know about men." He's saying, "I have not been in a certain interactive relationship with a man." So it's very important to understand that now grace and knowledge go together. [00:01:36]

So in 2nd Peter 3:18, where the writer says, "Grow in the Grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ," I'm going to challenge you to write that verse in your words utilizing the notion of knowledge and grace that I try to get you, and you do it. [00:01:56]

Second Peter 3:18, grow. Now you will notice that that is in the imperative. That means it's something for us to do. That is the human part of holiness, and I'm hoping that I can burn that phrase into your minds so that you'll never forget it. [00:02:19]

Because that is the issue. We don't need to worry about God's part. He'll do that. You can take care of that, but there is a role for us to play. Grow in the Grace and knowledge. Know you, how would you do that? And I hope that you will take the challenge to write it in the words that I've given you about Grace and about knowledge. [00:02:43]

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Transcript
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