“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”
2 Peter 3:18
Consider ther following:
Just as there are different growing stages for people, there should be different phases in a Christian’s life. Just as one does not want a baby to remain a baby but to grow up into a productive adult, so Christ would have His people not remain babes in Christ, but to grow. “But grow in grace, and inthe knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him beglory both now and for ever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18). Life does not stand still. Therefore, Christians should continually grow. If they do not, they will begin to slide backward in that life in Christ. One way of looking at these different stages of growth in Christianity is to consider circles of nearness to Christ, Jesus being the center.
Remember the five hundred who saw Jesus at once after His resurrection (see 1 Corinthians 15:6). Jesus revealed Himself to them. They were “brethren” who had believing faith in Christ. These could be included in an “outer circle of faith” – belonging to Him, yet far from Him. These could be compared to Christians in the church today who have believing faith, but do not walk in nearness to Christ. They are saved, maybe read the Bible occasionally, attend church, but that is pretty much it in their relationship with Christ. Much like a babe who hasn’t yet grown.
Consider also the seventy whom Jesus sent forth to tell the people that the “Kingdom of God” had come near to them – for Jesus was there (see Luke 10:1-11). The people needed to receive Jesus as their Saviour. This seventy were ones who were trustworthy to be sent forth. They were worthy of service for Jesus, for they walked with Him. Today in churches, there are those who have a regular, faithful walk with Jesus worthy of being available servants to bring people to Jesus for salvation. These are in the closer circle where Jesus is in the center.
We come to an even closer circle around Jesus. These were the twelve that Jesus called out to walk with Him for over three years during His ministry (see Matthew 10:1-7). They walked and talked with Jesus daily. These were Jesus’ friends. They would continue, becoming fit leaders for the new church, after Jesus’ ascension. Today, there are those who are not only saved, walk daily with Jesus, and are worthy to be leaders and teachers in the churches. They can also be called Jesus’ friends. “14.Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you” (John 15:14-15). These Christians are more like Christ because they are in that next ring of the circle – closer to Jesus.
You then have a smaller, inner group that Jesus called apart at specific times to teach them things they would need to know in order to serve Him and lead others after He ascended. These were Peter, James, and John. They especially witnessed Jesus’ power over death (see Mark 5:22-24, 35-43). They observed a glimpse of Jesus in His glory (see Luke 9:28-36). These were the same three whom Jesus took to the garden that final night to pray. They did not quite measure up to what Jesus had wanted – for they fell asleep three times! Yet Jesus continued to teach them. These three continued serving Jesus after His ascension. Remember Peter’s amazing sermon at Pentecost (see Acts 2:14-40). “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41). Many came to know Jesus because Peter was faithful. James became a martyr for His faith (see Acts 12:1-2). James was faithful to the death. John was the only Apostle who did not die a martyr’s death. He lived to record the book of Revelation for us to read today. Those who faithfully walk with Jesus, reading His Word, are able to reach a level of maturity where they can know Jesus and lead others to do the same.
There is then the smallest circle of one on one with Christ. John is one to consider to have attained this continual faithfulness with Christ. When all of the disciples fled from Jesus the night He was arrested, there was one who remained – John (see John 18:15). He is the only disciple mentioned that was at the foot of the cross. He was the one whom Jesus asked to take care of His mother (see John 19:26-27). The love of Christ was predominant in that man’s life (see 1 John 4).
- Are you saved, only having a saving faith, much like the five hundred?
- Have you grown enough to bring someone else to Jesus as the seventy?
- Do you walk in fellowship with Jesus daily, becoming His friend, as the group of twelve?
- Are you one like the inner group of three, continually learning from Jesus and serving Him?
- Has the love of Christ become predominant in your life?
Having considered these things, in which circle do you fit?
What can you do to advance to that innermost circle?
Leave a Reply