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.
Growing in knowledge
This brings us to the second part of the verse – ‘Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.’ Growth in grace must take place alongside growth in knowledge, which clearly means biblical knowledge, and especially the great doctrines of the faith. Have we ever read a book of doctrine? Thomas Watson’s A Body of Divinity is a superb 17th-century summary of all the major Christian doctrines so that the reader can see the entire system of doctrine, and how each component fits in with the whole. It is very sad if a long-standing Christian has never read a worthy doctrinal book.
Have we ever thoughtfully read John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress? I remember at the age of about twelve that this was one of the books we had to study in English literature. I thought it was so boring as we pored over it line by line, paragraph by paragraph, noting its structure and literary devices. How we yawned and squirmed!
Later when I was converted as a late teenager, someone said to me, ‘You must read Pilgrim’s Progress.’ Why should I read that book I remembered having to toil through, equal only to Homer’s Odyssey for dreariness? However, I read it again, and soon thought to myself, ‘This is not the book I read years ago. This is an entirely different book.’
Once one’s heart is opened, and spiritual light has dawned, that old book springs to life, showing us the temptations, pitfalls and triumphs of the spiritual journey as no other book outside the Bible has ever done. Of course, the Bible is everything, but books that explain and illuminate the message of Scripture have helped thousands upon thousands of Christians.
Are we growing in the knowledge of Truth? In addition, do we have knowledge about the current dangers confronting the cause of Christ? What are the battles currently raging? What is the devil trying to do to us today? There are at least six major points of attack that Satan is launching against churches and individual Christians at this present time, but do we know what these are? Are we on the watch?
Moving beyond books, are we growing in the knowledge of the personal lessons we have received from the Lord? We have made great mistakes, but do we remember them, and the wonderful way in which the Lord lifted us out of them, and taught us the right way? Are such lessons inscribed in our hearts? In addition, have we learned the way of seeking the guidance of God? All these matters are part of growing in knowledge.
If we are among those believers who have not grown in knowledge, but have stood still, then we will be easily brought into a backslidden state by Satan. The apostle’s command is so essential – ‘Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.’ . . . to be continued