Project Description

2015/07

FOUNDATIONS

How to Grow as a Christian

The moment of our conversion to Christ is only the beginning. When we are born again of the Holy Spirit, we commence a new life and a new walk. Just as with the new born child, there’s a need for growth in that new life, a progression and a going forward. In fact it would seem strange and alarming if there was no growth! If you planted a shrub in your garden, you would want to see signs of the shrub growing and progressing, and if it didn’t grow, then you would wonder if there was any life in it at all.

So, for the child of God, that new life which we have received through a saving, living faith in Christ must develop and grow. This is the clear teaching of Scripture. In 2 Peter 3v18 we read, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ”, in Ephesians 4v15, “may grow up in him in all things”. Therefore we see that growing in grace is something every Christian must strive after.
The Explanation
Before we go any further, it is worthwhile to explain a little about the expression ‘growth in grace’. We must remember that growing in grace does not make our salvation any more secure or our justification any more complete. We are not any more pardoned or any more forgiven as we grow in grace, because at the moment of our conversion we are “complete in Him” (Colossians 2:10). Growth in grace adds nothing to our security in Christ, because that is dependent solely on the finished work of the cross.

Rather, growing in grace has to do with our faith being strengthened – our love for the Lord, His word and His work increasing – and, as a consequence, our awareness of our own sin deepening. Oswald Chambers said, “Measure your growth in grace by your sensitivity to sin”. This then brings us to the work of sanctification in the life of the believer where, as the Shorter Catechism puts it, “we…are enabled more and more to die unto sin and live unto righteousness”. Growing in grace therefore is becoming more sanctified, more holy, more like Christ. It is mortifying the flesh and magnifying the Saviour, and the more we do that, the more we will grow in grace.

The Experience
The growth in grace that is commanded in Scripture is something which is to be experienced by all of God’s people.  It must not be seen as just the experience of some; something to be admired in others, but not to be experienced by ourselves. Every one of God’s children must grow in grace. It should be and can be the experience of all. How then can we grow in grace?

First of all, there are private means. There must be that time set aside each day for the private, systematic reading and studying of God’s word. Take your Bible in your hand every day; read it, study it, hear God speak to you through it.  Be challenged, be convicted, be comforted by it, and as a result you will grow in grace and in knowledge and thereby make progress in your Christian life. Also in private prayer, get alone with God and pour out your heart before Him. Lean more and more upon Him, and as you lean more on Him, you will learn more about Him, thus growing in grace. Our private times with God are so vital in sustaining and maintaining our growth in grace and if we neglect our private devotional times with God each day, then our growth will be stunted. J. C. Ryle said, “Private religion must receive our first attention, if we wish our souls to grow.”

Secondly there are public means for our growth in grace. Tied in with this is the church – attendance at the church services, particularly on the Lord’s Day, morning and evening, is vital to growth in grace. While some may not be able to attend church because of age or sickness, yet for all others, maintaining regular church attendance, in order to fellowship with God’s people and to be fed from the preaching of God’s word, is of paramount importance. Attendance at the mid-week prayer meeting, the power-house of the church, is another public means through which we can grow in grace. Do not forsake this means of grace.  Do not be found wanting or become weary in your attendance but rather like the Psalmist say, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” (Psalm 122:1)

Another public means of growth connected with the church is communion – attendance at the Lord’s Table.  It is there we have the opportunity to reflect upon and remember what Christ accomplished and attained for His people at the Cross. As you spend time remembering Him, you learn more about Him and learn to love Him more. Through this means you grow in grace.

One final thought concerns the company kept. While he may have associations in the world, yet the Christian should never become over friendly with the world. The friendship and the companionship of other Christians is what we should seek because “Iron sharpeneth iron” (Proverbs 27:17). The Puritan Thomas Brooks said, “Let them be thy choicest companions, that have made Christ their chiefest companion”.

We have the encouragement that, when we apply ourselves to the use of these means, the Holy Spirit works grace within us.  Growth in grace, like all our responsibilities, can only be achieved by the Spirit applying the means to our hearts.

The Evidence
We note some evident signs of those who are growing in grace. First, there will be a greater usefulness in the work of God. Those who grow in grace will see the work that needs to be done, and will, with joy and eagerness, get involved in the work of God.

Also there will be a greater degree of holiness.  Again we emphasise that our growth in grace will always be accompanied by a greater hatred for sin.

Finally, there will be more Christ-likeness – in our manner of living, in our speech, our conduct, our all. The Christian, who is growing in grace, will grow to be more like Christ.

May it be our desire, every day, to “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

Rev Garth Wilson.