This series of articles is written by Dr Peter Masters (https://metropolitantabernacle.org/articles/a-spiritual-growth-check/).
Growth means dependence upon God, communion with Christ, daily engagement in holiness, prayer and proclamation. We cannot select one or two of these but must engage in all. ‘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). This well-known command to grow in grace and knowledge was given by Peter as the essential antidote to backsliding and apostasy, the apostle having just written: ‘Beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.’ . . . How shall we define growing in grace? It is the ongoing Christian walk of proving the free favour of God in daily forgiveness, answered prayer, help in holiness and progress in service. It includes advancing in obedience to the Lord and communion with him. Here are five vital aspects of growth to monitor.
1. Growing In Dependence Upon Grace
First, we should all be growing in dependence upon grace, for this is the basis of the life of faith. When we come to the Lord, we are made aware of the extent of our sin, and realise that we cannot secure the favour of God. We see that there is so much the matter with us that we deserve only rejection and punishment by God, and we therefore repent and trust wholly in the Christ of Calvary for redemption. However, as we grow in grace we gain an even keener awareness of our unworthiness and unfittedness, and an even deeper realisation of our need of Christ. Accordingly our gratitude to him overflows for what he has done.
The veteran saint, who you may think has made wonderful progress, will often be on his or her knees pleading with God for forgiveness, having seen even more clearly all that is wrong and unworthy within, and feeling increasingly dependent upon the Lord’s atoning death.
The question is – do we also grow in dependence upon and appreciation of grace? Or do we tend to leave this dependence behind, so that we now take Calvary for granted? Do sin and failure now seldom hurt or shame us, leading to the loss of dependence on Christ, together with the overwhelming sense of gratitude that we once possessed?
Self-examination and reflection are essential in order that we may feel more keenly than ever how much we need Christ’s great work in bearing our sin away.
One hears of objections made by some Christians to the grand old practice of dedicating a Sunday service to evangelistic preaching. They say they cannot see the point of attending such services as they have been saved for many years. However, believers who are growing in their dependence upon grace just love to hear the word of saving grace declared and unfolded. It means so much to them that it is almost their highest point of worship. They do not need it in the sense that they are already saved, but they constantly increase in their love and appreciation of redemption, for the reason expressed in the old hymn of Henry Twells:
And none, O Lord, have perfect rest,
For none are wholly free from sin;
And they who fain would serve thee best
Are conscious most of wrong within.
So, do we grow in dependence upon grace?
2. Growing in Application of Grace
Secondly, do we grow in the application of grace to our own lives, for progress in holiness? Grace is an ongoing experience of the pardon and the power of God in holiness and service, and we must receive it by daily repentance and prayer for help. Where did I fail today? How did I sin? What duty or service did I shrink from? Not only must I repent, but I must also make my pledge to the Lord to do better, praying for a lively conscience and for help in responding to it. I especially need to pray for help over my more frequent sins, and for a greater awareness of the watching eye of the Lord. This is the application of grace to the walk of righteousness.
Do we daily review our walk, and seek the grace of God in improvement? Are we more patient today than we were a year ago? Are we more committed to the Lord’s service; more self-controlled in word and deed; less selfish; less infected by pride; less covetous, and more considerate? Are we growing through the daily application of grace in our life?
. . . to be continued