What Grace Produces: Growth

The grace of God does more than rescue us from sin—it shapes us, matures us, and equips us for the life He has called us to live. In 1 Peter 2, the apostle Peter shows that grace doesn’t just save us; it grows us into who we are meant to be in Christ.

Grace Creates the Right Environment for Growth

Peter tells believers to “desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (v. 2). Just as a newborn needs nourishment to develop, we need God’s Word to grow spiritually. Grace clears the way by removing the things that hinder growth—malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and evil speech—and it replaces them with a hunger for truth.

The goal isn’t just personal maturity, but a greater purpose: to be built into a “spiritual house” and “holy priesthood” that offers sacrifices pleasing to God (vv. 4–5). Those sacrifices, as Paul explains in Romans 12:1–2 and Ephesians 5:15–20, are holy living and heartfelt praise.

Grace Gives Us a New Identity

Because of Christ, believers are:

• A chosen generation

• Royal priests

• A holy nation

• A people belonging to God

These are titles that once belonged only to Israel, but through Jesus, they now belong to all who follow Him. With this new identity comes a calling—to live in holiness, to shine His light, and to reflect His glory to the world.

Grace Transforms Our Attitude Toward Authority

Peter connects growth with submission—something our culture often resists. We live in a world that celebrates rebellion and mocks leadership, but God’s grace reshapes our hearts. It replaces a rebellious spirit with a willingness to submit to the order He has established.

That means:

• Submitting to government (1 Peter 2:11–17) — honoring leaders, obeying laws, and living in a way that silences critics and points people to Christ.

• Submitting in work relationships (1 Peter 2:18–25) — showing respect to those in authority over us, even when they are difficult, and striving to win them over by our conduct.

Peter reminds us that Christ Himself set the example—He endured injustice without retaliation so that through His submission, souls could be saved.

Grace Grows Us into Christlikeness

Growth in grace changes everything: our character, our relationships, and our mission. It teaches us to see the bigger picture—God’s kingdom—and to live in a way that builds it up rather than tears it down.

Spiritual maturity isn’t about winning arguments or securing personal victories—it’s about winning souls and glorifying God. As we grow, our lives should increasingly reflect the holiness, humility, and love of Christ.