The Apostle Peter closes his last epistle by encouraging us to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Peter’s life is somewhat of a series of successes and failures. This is a man who was one of three (Peter, James, and John) in the inner circle with Christ. Over and over again these three were taken to a higher level.

You will find this great man at most of the miracles of Christ. He was at the Mount of Transfiguration with Christ, at the feeding of the five thousand with Christ, in the foot-washing service with Christ, walking on the water with Christ, having communion with Christ, in the inner sanctum of the Garden of Gethsemane with Christ—and then you find him cursing, swearing, and denying that he even knew Christ.

He went so far as to leave the ministry and go back to his old vocation of fishing. Just a short time later, however, things turned around, and he is found preaching on the day of Pentecost when over three thousand people came to a saving knowledge of the Christ he had previously denied. All I can say is, “WOW!”

We have all failed at times, and maybe even failed miserably, but today is a new day and our God is kind and loving and merciful. As we learn and grow, He can use us, like Peter, to do amazing things for Him.

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