“Growing in grace” is a Christian concept that refers to the ongoing process of spiritual maturity, guided by God’s unmerited favor. While salvation is received in an instant, spiritual growth is a lifelong journey where a believer becomes more like Jesus Christ. This process, also known as sanctification, involves an increasing reliance on the Holy Spirit rather than self-effort.
The biblical command to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” comes from 2 Peter 3:18. This verse ties together the need for both a deepening experience of God’s grace and a greater intellectual understanding of who Jesus is.

Growing in grace requires a fundamental understanding that our goodness and salvation are not earned but are gifts from God. Instead of striving for perfection through self-effort, a believer relies on God’s power to change their heart and life.

The more a person learns about Jesus Christ through studying scripture and prayer, the more they appreciate His love, mercy, and sacrifice. This appreciation, in turn, fuels a desire to become more like Him.

As believers grow in grace, they are transformed from one degree of glory to another into the likeness of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). This progressive sanctification, or holiness, involves letting go of old sinful habits and attitudes, such as bitterness and malice, and developing Christ-like virtues.

Growing in grace is not a solitary endeavor. It includes deepening fellowship with other believers and extending God’s grace to others through acts of mercy, service, and forgiveness.