2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

There is a difference between grace and knowledge, that is why the division word “and” was used.

Grace is an application word similar to salve that is applied to a wound. This is not something that can be taught. It has to be experienced.

Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Here Paul makes reference to seasoning with salt which we all know was part of Jesus’ sermon on the mount. Reference Matthew 5:13

Paul was not one of Jesus’ disciples at that time. How did Paul know about this seasoning by gracious speech? All we have to do is read about the transition of Saul into Paul to see that he did not instantly change into his new role as a servant of the Most High.

Galatians 1:17-19 English Standard Version

17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother.

Paul’s service to the Lord did not even begin until three years after his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Here we are so many years after being born again and we must ask ourselves if in fact we have grown in grace over time. If the answer is yes, then apply that salve to those who have just received the Lord and heal them of their wounds before putting them to work.

I did not know myself just how broken I was for a time. If that is true of me, it could be true of others. I have been at this for decades and I am still growing in grace. Knowledge, not so much.

What hinders us from growing in grace? Maybe it is the company we keep.

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Hint; “let us also”.

2 Peter 3:14-18 English Standard Version

Final Words

14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. 15 And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 16 as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. 17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

Peter’s words about Paul were kinder than what Paul had to say about Peter.

Galatians 2:11-13 English Standard Version

Paul Opposes Peter

11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.

What is to be learned here?

Peter said the ignorant and unstable could not understand everything that Paul was saying.

Paul was saying that knowing the truth doesn’t stop us from making mistakes.

Hypocrisy seems to be a harsh rebuke. None of us want to be accused of hypocrisy since we have placed our faith in Christ.

I once had a pastor who demoted his best friend from associate pastor to a layperson because the man threw a Super Bowl party where beer was served. When I asked him why he said, “He was a leader and should have known better.” As this was a young pastor who was setting up a new church I had to ask, “Did you tell him what was expected of him?”

Some of us will see that the Word is clear. Others need guidance and time in order to grow in grace. We do not all grow at the same rate.