Are You Growing? Part 1

(Though it's been awhile since we've done our Holiness posts, Scribe thinks we should just pick up where we left off. even though we've continued moving on in the book...so, we'll be posting summaries of various chapters, especially since we have someone else reading with us! Welcome, Sister C!)

"...To every one who is in downright earnest about his soul, and hungers and thirsts after spiritual life, the question ought to come with searching power. Do we make progress in our religion? Do we grow?"

Such are the questions that Ryle urges us to ask ourselves as he addresses growth in the Christian's life. Ryle reminds us of how short our lives are and that we should be actively looking within and examining ourselves. He, of course, is not affirming that a Christian can be more "justified" in Christ, but rather, "that his sense of sin is becoming deeper, his faith stronger, his hope brighter, his love more extensive, his spiritual-mindedness more marked."

Ryle offers the following Scriptures to support the reality of Christian growth.....
~2 Thess. 1:3
~1 Thess. 4:10
~Col. 1:10
~2 Cor. 10:15
~1 Thess. 3:12
~Eph. 4:15
~Phil. 1:9
~1 Thess. 4:1
~2 Pet. 3:18

He then reminds us why growth is so important in a Christian's life.

a) When we're growing, there is evidence of "spiritual health and prosperity." We all know that when something is healthy it is growing. Such should be the case with our souls. (Isn't it interesting, though, that this if often the LAST thing we discuss as Christians. When was the last time you asked a Christian friend, "How are you growing in Christ?" )

b) Growing in Christ, states Ryle, is one way to "be happy in our religion." He asserts that God has "linked together our comfort and our increase in holiness." (How true this is. Christians who are still "babes" and weaker in their faith often suffer from a deeper unrest, a fighting against God's will, especially when faced with trials. Ten years ago, had I been diagnosed with yet a second skin cancer, I would have fretted so needlessly. But, as I have grown in the Lord, so has my trust in Him increased, as well as my peace and happiness in spite of my circumstances. At the same time, I recognize even more just how far I have to go!)

c) Growth in grace makes us "useful" to others because it greatly influences others for good. Want to be a positive witness for Christ? Then make sure you're growing. Want to be a poor witness? Then, remain stagnant.

d) Growth in grace "pleases God." While it seems too wonderful to think that we could actually "give pleasure to the most High God," Scripture often speaks of walking in a manner that pleases Him. 1 Thess. 4:1, Heb. 13:16

e) Growth is something for which we will be held accountable. "Neglect of growth robs (us) of privileges, grieves the Spirit, and makes the chariot wheels of (our) souls move heavily."
James 4:6, Psalm 35:27

***

"A good Christian is not like Hezekiah's sun that went backwards, nor Joshua's sun that stood still, but is always advancing in holiness, and increasing with the increase of God." ~Thomas Watson


~Part 2 will address the marks of Christian growth