Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 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 3:17–18
We live in an impatient world. The drive to make things faster and more convenient is evident all around us. We have grown accustomed to things being available to us almost instantly. Many shopping services offer same day delivery on purchases. The microwave gets food ready in a fraction of the time of regular cooking. We are constantly connected to the world and a vast amount of information. While we can all appreciate the conveniences of modern life, we must not allow that thinking to shape our approach to our spiritual life.
God does not miraculously turn us into mature Christians the moment we are saved. Spiritual growth is a process that takes place over time—not in a single moment, but day after day. There will never be a time in this world when our need for growth disappears. We must continually deepen our knowledge of Christ, strengthen our faith, and become more like Him.
Missionary Amy Carmichael wrote, “Sometimes when we read the words of those who have been more than conquerors, we feel almost despondent. ‘I feel that I shall never be like that.’ But they won through step by step by little bits of wills, little denials of self, little inward victories by faithfulness in very little things. They became what they are. No one sees these little hidden steps. They only see the accomplishment, but even so, those small steps were taken. There is no sudden triumph, no sudden spiritual maturity. That is the work of the moment.”
