The Meaning of “Grow in Grace” — 2 Peter 3:18 〈彼得後書三章十八節〉「在恩典中長進」的意思

 

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
「你們卻要在恩典和救主耶穌基督的認識上長進。」

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The Foundation: What Grace Truly Is

根基：什麼才是真正的恩典

Grace is first and foremost what God has done for us in Christ.
恩典首先、也是根本，是神在基督裡為我們所成就的事。

Jesus Christ died for our sins.
耶穌基督為我們的罪而死。

Through His death, forgiveness is made possible.
因著祂的死，罪得赦免成為可能。

Grace is God’s saving plan, accomplished by Christ and offered to mankind.
恩典是神的拯救計畫，由基督完成，向人類敞開。

This grace is received when one responds in obedient faith to the gospel.
這恩典是在順服福音的信心回應中被領受的。

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Key Clarification

重要釐清

Grace is not a vague feeling of kindness.
恩典不是一種模糊的慈愛感覺。

Grace is not permission to ignore obedience.
恩典不是忽略順服的通行證。

Grace is the costly gift of salvation, rooted in the cross.
恩典是有代價的救恩，根基在十字架上。

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What Does “Grow in Grace” Mean?

「在恩典中長進」是什麼意思？

1. Growing in understanding the value of grace

一、在對恩典價值的認識上成長

To grow in grace is to increasingly understand what Christ has done.

在恩典中長進，就是越來越明白基督為我們所成就的。

The more one understands the cost of forgiveness, the more humble one becomes.

人越明白赦罪的代價，就越謙卑。

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2. Growing within the sphere of grace

二、在恩典所運作的範圍內成長

Grace is received through obedience to God’s saving plan.

恩典是在人順服神的拯救計畫中被領受的。

To grow in grace means to continue faithfully within that plan.

在恩典中長進，就是持續忠心地活在這計畫之中。

To abandon obedience is to step outside the grace offered.

離開順服，就是離開恩典所賜的範圍。

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3. Growing in grace is inseparable from knowing Christ

三、在恩典中長進，與認識基督不可分割

Knowing Christ means knowing His will and submitting to it.

認識基督，就是認識祂的旨意，並且順服。

As knowledge grows, faithfulness deepens.

認識越深，忠心也越深。

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A Clear Summary

簡明總結

Grace begins at the cross.

恩典始於十字架。

Grace is received through obedient faith.

恩典藉著順服的信心被領受。

To grow in grace is to increasingly treasure that gift and live faithfully within it.

在恩典中長進，就是越來越珍惜這救恩，並在其中忠心而活。

Grace never removes God’s standard.

恩典從不取消神的標準。

Grace enables the believer to live according to God’s will.

恩典使信徒有能力照神的旨意而活。