Meditation is good, but where it becomes exclusive it is evil. Hence the blessed distinctive mark of Christian progress is that, in the midst of the most strenuous efforts, there may be perpetual calm. Love for Him will lead us in that case to desire to be like Him. There is the hindrance of an abuse of the evangelical doctrine of conversion, and the idea that springs up in many hearts that if once a man has âpassed from death unto life,â and has managed to get inside the door of the banqueting-hall, that is enough. Christianity especially is a vast work. I do not think God cares much about government, or much about this benevolence. Does He smile on you? Unless ministers grow in grace it is impossible for the Church to grow. When adopted into the family of God, we have many graces lying dormant, and not a few faculties impaired or withered by courses of sin. Those who have had much to do with newly-quickened souls, or those who can recall the first experiences of the Divine life within their own hearts, will bear me out in this, that love to Christ is, at such a time, the one absorbing passion of the soul. The blacksmithâs muscles are strengthened by wielding the forge-hammer, but unused they waste. They have got no nearer Jesus Christ than when they first knew Him. If a person lies sick, to him all the world is cut off, all hopes are ended, all life seems sad. Do they go out towards Him and feel after Him? Use the grace that you have, and practise the truth that you are sure of, and the grace will grow and other truths will be made clear.III. It is for all time, now and evermore. THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION IS TO BE CULTIVATED.III. Use them if they are suitable. Is He your Friend? It can be led out toward the good or toward the bad; can be made to seek its affinities among the high or the low. And may we "give HIM the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. If so, you have a God, and you have reason for endless congratulation and joy. The penalty of growth in true life is growth in care, mental perplexity, and pain. As well expect a corn seed to grow into an oak as expect the man who is destitute of spiritual life to "grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." A. family whose government rests on the principle of force, of authority that speaks only by the infliction of punishment, will make children in it cowardly, hypocritical, and brutal. It is ampler or scantier, it is more wisely or less wisely imparted, according to circumstances. You have been taught that He is the Ruler, that He is the Governor. (2)To the law of God. Skinner.At first sight it would appear as if Peter had inverted the natural order of things when he puts growth in the "knowledge" of Christ, after and not before, growth in the "grace "of Christ. It may be blind in the first stages of its existence, but it soon attains, at least, to partial vision — vision which will grow from more to more if rightly used. 5. The signs of our growing in grace. Is He your Companion? If a Christian starves his soul by neglecting to feed on the bread which came down from heaven, no wonder that he is stunted. Connected with this hindrance is that which I may term the weakness of the flesh. They should grow in the knowledge of the perfection of the righteousness of Christ.4. You who are despondent can grow up into the condition of hopefulness. Life is characterised by RECEIVING. Hence we come to recognise the need of another truth which most likely has not hitherto come prominently in view — that for our life to be vigorous and well sustained under all circumstances we must have our faith firmly grounded in the Fatherhood of God. Another person is put in circumstances by God's providence where he needs perpetual nerve and perpetual enterprise. To bring the Divine nature home to all the phases of character which surround us, to all the conditions of life, and to the subjugation of the strong attributes of the mind; to find men just where they are in all their infinite variations of condition; to find that which arrests their attention; to find that which shall inspire in them some moral reaction; to find that which shall feed them — this is one of the most potential of all influences for developing in you the growth of the Divine idea. For while prophecy and teaching and knowledge do not abide, while we are in the childhood of the human race, and know everything only in fragments and parts, there are some things that death itself does not change. WHY GROWTH IN KNOWLEDGE IS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO THE GROWTH IN GRACE. Divine knowledge not only increases the obligations of Christians to grow in grace, but actually increases the holiness of all their holy affections. He instinctively goes after the prophet's God.5. Practise it on all occasions, till you get the victory. âGrow in the knowledge of your Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.â Get more and more intimate with Him, nearer to Him, and franker and more cordial with Him day by day.But there is another side to the injunction besides that. Growth in the knowledge of a Divine Being unites both of these.1. Skinner.1. He walks as those who walk in the light. 2. It must be assiduously watched.6. The knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ is necessary to salvation.2. (2)When we grow more worldly. And it is these concurrent differences, these harmonious separations, that make the symphony of knowledge. He has an inward want of a conception that is all beaming, and genial, and sweet, and tender. )Growth in the knowledge of GodH. Divine revelation, by its influence on the understanding, the heart, the will, and the conscience of man, in every condition of life, promotes the Christian's growth in holiness, in comfort, and in usefulness.2. "Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18). Beecher. It may be blind in the first stages of its existence, but it soon attains, at least, to partial vision — vision which will grow from more to more if rightly used. Let us remember that the process of growth begun here will go on for ever.(A. It should cause great glorying and joy.III. )Growth in graceJ. DUE ATTENTION MUST BE GIVEN TO THE LAW OF SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT.IV. I am your brother, though I may not gain the same conception of God that you do. "Growth in grace" is not only a thing possible, but a thing for which believers are accountable.II. (6)To duties, grace, and perseverance. Now truth is the nutriment of the soul, and it must be taken, or the soul will not grow, and in a little while will cease to live. "If the first sparks of evil were quenched, how should they ever break forth into a flame? To him be glory.âBetter, to Him be the gloryâall that His creatures have to render. Watchfulness is another important means of growth in grace. HOW TO ESCAPE FROM A STATE OF DECLENSION. Before we can be said to know the spirit, the life, of our Master, or enter upon the full possession of the truths He came to reveal, we must first strive to grow in the grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. If so, you have a God, and you have reason for endless congratulation and joy. A third man, standing and looking upon these disputants, says, "They are fools, both of them. Applying this test to Christ, do I love Him most because He is the incarnation of virtue and goodness? As to extent, there is no end to it. 3. There is one more thing which is absolutely essential to growth in grace, and that is regular and habitual communion with the Lord Jesus. If you experience these fervent longings, you may conclude that the graces of the Holy Spirit grow in you.
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