Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 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 3:17-18
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
— Ephesians 4:14-15
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
— Colossians 1:10
We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
— 2 Thessalonians 1:3
How May a Christian Know That He or She is Growing in Grace?, by Samuel Pike and Samuel Hayward. The following contains Case Eighteen of his work, “Religious Cases of Conscience Answered in an Evangelical Manner, To Which is Added the Spiritual Companion Or The Professing Christian Tried at the Bar Of God’s Word; and Some Free Thoughts On The Character Of The Happy Man.” Originally Published 1755.
Case 18. How may a Christian know that he is growing in grace?
It is a question of some peculiar weight that I have before me. The resolution of it has a tendency to remove the Christian’s fears, help him in examining his soul, and stir him up to a holy diligence and watchfulness in his spiritual course, that he may not be trifling and slothful, but press on towards the mark, and so make some progress on his way to Zion. Here I will,
I. Make a few observations, that may be necessary to clear this important point. And,
II. Mention a few instances in which it will appear that the Christian, notwithstanding all the opposition he meets with, really grows in grace.
I. I would make a few observations, that may be necessary to clear this important point.
1. Growth in grace is generally imperceptible to the Christian himself. For the most part, it is of a very gradual nature. It is like a plant which grows insensibly, or like a babe which becomes stronger and taller, till at length he has all the proportions of a man; and yet you don’t see how this is done. In time, you find an alteration, but you cannot perceive the steps by which he approaches nearer and nearer to manhood. Thus it is with the Christian. He is first a babe, being weak in knowledge and grace; then he is a young man; and after that he is a father. 44 These speak of great improvement; and yet in general, this is so gradual that the Christian is insensible of it. He is at first a plant; but afterwards he may be compared to a tree, and so he goes on oftentimes, till at length he becomes a tall cedar in Lebanon. And yet the steps by which he ascends to this height in stature are chiefly imperceptible.
2. Sometimes growth in grace is quicker and more visible. God does great work in a little time. Some Christians make great improvements, and soon come to a state of manhood. They ripen apace for a better world, and make great advances in the divine life. When God is like dew to their souls, they revive as the corn, grow as the vine, shoot forth their branches, and make a green and flourishing appearance. “When the Sun of righteousness arises upon them with healing under his wings, they go out, and grow fat like calves of the stall.” Mal 4.2. Like the sun in its return from the winter solstice, nourishes frozen nature by its warmth and makes it look green and beautiful, so when the Sun of Righteousness, after a long time of withdrawal, comes to shine again upon the soul, he feels the warmth of his reviving beams, and finds a glorious and sudden alteration. He is then like calves fattened in the stall, which are fit for slaughter, and therefore make much quicker improvements than those that are in the open field. The Christian, like them, grows fat, and makes very visible advances in holiness. When God fills the pool of ordinances with his heavenly rain, we are sensible of it, feel the refreshment and go from strength to strength.
3. On the whole, we may have made some progress in the Christian life, even if for the present we may appear to be going backward. Some corruptions may for the present harass our souls and have led us aside. By some neglect or other, we may have grieved the Holy Spirit, and he may have left us for a time. And so we may appear to be in a declining and withering condition, though on the whole we may have made some progress in grace, and may have gotten some cubits added to our spiritual stature since we gave ourselves to Christ. A child may have some indisposition which may prevent his growth for a time. Yet he may have gotten much strength when compared with what he was at first. David lay asleep for some time, and gave no evidences then of any growth in grace. Yet, doubtless he made advances in conformity to God, though now a corruption leads him into captivity. From all this, then, we learn that we must not compare ourselves with yesterday, if we would know whether we have any more steps on our way to heaven. It might be much better with us yesterday than today, as to the frame of our souls, and yet in general we may have gained some ground. If we would know our growth, we must look back to the time when we first gave ourselves to the Redeemer, if we can remember it, and compare ourselves now with ourselves then.
4. We may grow in one respect, though we may not grow in all. A tree in winter may appear to be dead, but it is indeed alive and gathering strength, even though it isn’t beautified with blossoms or loaded with fruit. Thus the Christian has his winter seasons. Yet he is making some progress in adversity — when under afflictive dispensations, the buffetings of Satan, under spiritual darkness and discouragements. He may grow, though his faith may not be as strong, his affections as lively, and his soul as comfortable as he could wish. Some dispensations may be more suited to bring one grace into exercise than another. If any grace is strengthened, and we’ve gotten nearer to Christ in any measure, we are then growing Christians. Some form for themselves marks and evidences of growth in grace; and if they don’t come up to that standard, they conclude that they are going backward. Whereas, we ought to be thankful if we grow in one respect, even if we don’t see that we grow in all.
5. We are not to judge our spiritual growth by the growth of others. Some with whom we are acquainted, have perhaps made greater advances in grace. They have great knowledge, can reason solidly about the Gospel: their zeal is lively, their faith is strong, their hearts appear warm, and they seem to have much communion with God. Because we don’t find the same gifts and measures of grace in ourselves, but perhaps a coldness, a sad indifference, etc., we are ready to conclude that we have no grace. We especially conclude that we are far from being growing Christians, not considering that there are different degrees in different persons. Indeed, we don’t consider that these have their corruptions, their inward struggles, their dead seasons, as well as others. Because we are not all Pauls, must we therefore say that we are not Christians at all? Because we don’t find the same degrees of love for ordinances as David did, must we say that we have none at all? These would be strange and very unfair conclusions.
II. These things being thus observed, I now come to show when the Christian may be said to grow in grace. Among other things, I would mention these following:
1. Growth in grace reveals itself in an increase of spiritual light and knowledge. To see more of sin is (as we observed in another case) a real sign that the work is carrying on. It was by the light of the Spirit alone, that we first saw the wickedness of our hearts, and a loathsomeness in sin. And it is by this light, that our views of it grow clearer and more distinct. When the commandment came, the boasting Pharisee saw himself as a sinner, Rom 7.9. To see more and more of ourselves, tends to bring us into a more evangelical frame, and so it makes us appear more like the followers of Christ. As we see more of ourselves, as the work is carrying on in us, so we see more of Jesus Christ — the greatness and amiableness of his person, the virtue of his sacrifice, the triumphs of his cross, and the importance of his intercession. On the whole, when we see more vileness in ourselves, and more beauty in Christ; more of our own emptiness, and more of his fulness; more of our own weakness, and more of his strength; more of the insufficiency of our own righteousness to justify us before God, and more of the glory of his — in a word, more of our wretchedness and nakedness, and more of his suitableness and excellence, then we may be said to grow in grace.
2. When we are enabled to go out of ourselves more, and depend more upon Christ, we may be said to grow in grace. The young Christian is ready to place too much dependence on his own frame. If his affections are not sweetly raised in duties, then he is ready to conclude that such duties are lost. When he finds a dullness, a contraction, a straitness in his frame, he fears that he has no experience of the grace of God. He is too ready to depend upon his own resolutions. When led aside by any corruption, he resolves against it, and goes too much in his own strength. Under spiritual darkness, or afflictive dispensations, he gives way to discouragement too much, and often refuses to be comforted. If, then, we are enabled to lay aside a stress on our frames, and look more to Christ, leaving our souls with him; if we are more sensible of our weakness and depend more on the strength of the great Redeemer; if when Satan buffets and God afflicts, we are enabled to leave ourselves with Christ, pleading his righteousness, and waiting for his salvation; if under a deeper sense of our emptiness we go to Christ’s fulness, cling to and trust in him, resolving that if we perish, we perish at his feet, then it is a sign that we are growing in grace.
3. We are making some advances when we find a true relish for duties, and grow more spiritual in them. Young Christians generally have more fire than solidity. They are, says Dr. Goodwin, like new musical instruments — they have more varnish than old ones, but they don’t give as sweet a sound. Their zeal and affection often carry them beyond their duty. They are ready to think they must pray so often, and spend so much time in duties, that they cannot otherwise be Christians. But as they grow in grace, they find a relish for duty; they see its great importance and attend to it in its proper place. They grow more settled and solid. They have juster conceptions of God. Their obedience flows more from love. Their services are more evangelical. They attend to duty more in its proper season, and give every duty its just weight. When indeed we find a growing coldness to duty, and indifference, carelessness, and negligence, then we have reason to fear a decline. But when we have a true relish for duties, and are more spiritual in them, it is a sign that we are making progress in holiness.
4. We make advances in grace when we are more humble, submissive, and thankful. A humble frame is that which the whole Gospel is calculated to bring us into, and which the Spirit promotes by all His works in us. The more we are sunk in our own apprehensions, the lower we lie, the more detestable we appear, and the more we show of the Christian. The growing Christian has more of a humble submission to the dispensations of providence. When afflictions first come upon us, we are like bulls unaccustomed to the yoke; our proud rebellious hearts are ready to rise against God. But as we make advances, we are brought to justify God, and to acquiesce in all his proceedings. “Lord, this proud heart would gladly rebel. But, oh, have your own way with me! Why should a living man complain about the punishment of his sins? I would rather be dumb, not opening my mouth against any part of Your conduct, but cheerfully surrender myself and my all to Your disposal, saying, Choose my inheritance for me.” (Psa 47.4) As the Christian grows, he is brought into a more thankful and admiring frame. He admires the riches of grace, and this is more and more his language:
“Lord, why me? Why was my name enrolled in the book of life? Why did you call, renew, and sanctify me? Am I an heir of God?
Will heaven be my inheritance? Oh, the grace, the infinite grace and compassion of God!” etc.
This is the very frame of the saints in heaven. Who are more humble than they are? Who are more thankful? They are ever adoring divine grace, placing the crown upon their Redeemer’s head, and giving God all the glory, Rev 5.9-13. Therefore, the more we are brought into this frame, the greater progress we are making in the Christian life.
5. We grow in grace, when we find our corruptions weaker, and the power of sin more and more subdued in us. There was a time, Christian, when your poor, silly, foolish heart was ready to fall in with every temptation; when your corruptions were strong, and often led you into captivity. But have you gotten by divine grace a greater freedom from them? Have you been enabled to mourn over them, pray against them, and bring them to the cross of Christ, and get them mortified and slain? Don’t pride, passion, envy, discontent, and carnality reign as much as usual? Are you then more on your guard, and do you find your soul more at liberty than before? This is a sign of growth in grace.
6. Finally, when we find less of an earthly, and more of a heavenly disposition, we may be said to grow in grace. When our esteem for this world is sinking, our attachment to it weaker, when our affections are often withdrawn from it, and we find greater desires to converse with God, and to look above; when heaven grows more pleasing and familiar, and somewhat like the inhabitants above, we are filled with a warmer zeal for God, and desire to honour him by a more active and lively obedience; when we find a growing concern to be dead to present things, and to have a greater love for Jesus, a stronger faith in him, and an increasing conformity to him, then we may comfortably conclude that we grow in grace.
I would conclude this subject with a reflection or two.
1. How awful is the case of those who are absolute strangers to the grace of God! To be conformed to God is the greatest happiness of a creature. What can render us more amiable than to have the divine image in us? What can more contribute to our real felicity? It is heaven to be like Christ, 1Joh 3.2. It is absolutely necessary to our communion with him here on earth, and to our full enjoyment of him above. You, then, who are strangers to the new creature, have no degree of fitness for a better world. What could heaven be to you, but a tiresome place? Could you exult in God as your highest happiness? Could you join the church triumphant in cheerful, unwearied, and everlasting ascriptions of praise to God and to the Lamb? Only sit down and seriously consider this, and you must soon be convinced that your hopes of happiness are absolutely vain, for you are under the power of sin; you have no relish for spiritual services; and consequently, you have no real fitness for heaven. Let me beseech you to consider your present dangerous and awful condition. And oh, seek to be a Christian indeed, so that you may not please yourself with expectations of salvation, and at last meet with disappointment. This has been the case with many. They thought themselves rich, and increased with goods, when indeed they were poor, and miserable, and blind, and naked. They rejected every admonition, turned away every exhortation, and would not believe the awful truth that they were children of wrath and dead in trespasses and sins. But they cried peace, peace, till sudden and everlasting destruction came upon them, and it was too late to seek grace and look for mercy. Deplorable as it is, this will be your condition, graceless soul, if death were to come upon you while you are persuading yourself that all is well. Let me beseech you, therefore, to consider the things that belong to your peace, before they are forever hidden from your eyes — to be summoned before the tribunal of God, there to be weighed and pronounced too light; to hear the awful word, Depart! to see the bottomless pit opening, and no way of escape, no deliverer near — but instead to see the now compassionate Jesus, then refusing to stretch forth his arm to help you, to hear him crying out, “You infatuated creature, you are ruined forever. Once I called, but you refused; once I stretched out my hand, but you didn’t regard it; now I will laugh at your calamity, and mock now that your fear comes upon you; you may now call, but I will not answer; you may seek me earnestly, but you shall not find me.” (Pro 1.24-28) Oh think, think, I entreat you, of this melancholy and distressing scene. Let the consideration of it engage you to look into your heart, and with the utmost diligence, seek an experience of the grace of God to fit you for the enjoyments above. Seek an interest in the righteousness of Christ, to give you a title to them. Give God no rest, but earnestly beg that He would send his Spirit to make everything new in your heart, proclaim liberty to your captive soul, lead you to the feet of the almighty Redeemer, and prepare you to enjoy Him.
2. We see what should be our great concern as Christians. Not to grasp for honours, riches, and the emoluments of earth and time; not to gratify our appetites in the pleasures of sense — but to pursue the glory of God, and the prosperity of our souls. Is this, Christian, what you daily have in view? While you are attending to the affairs of your family, are you neglecting your soul? Do you ever inquire whether that soul is starving or flourishing? Is it your greatest care to grow in grace? Are you therefore watchful against every sin, much in prayer, frequent in meditation and self-examination? And are you looking to Christ daily, for all suitable supplies to enable you to make advances? Is it a matter of humiliation that you find so much of the body of sin within you, such coldness toward duties, such degrees of ignorance, so much carnality, spiritual pride, etc.? Do you mourn before the Lord, that there is so little of a divine temper, so little of your Redeemer’s image in you? Do you gasp after holiness, pray earnestly for the Spirit of sanctification to cleanse your heart, and add some cubits to your spiritual stature? To live a natural life only, is not to live: it is only to breathe. You slothful Christians, awake, and consider your character, your happiness, your usefulness. All of these call upon you to seek progress in grace. Oh, may this be your motto, “For me, to live is Christ!” Seek more of Christ with you, and in you. Don’t be content to always be babes, but thirst after an increase of strength, of knowledge, of faith, of love, of every grace, that it may be evident to all that you are not only a Christian indeed, but that your soul is in a healthy and prosperous condition, and that it is your greatest delight to be growing in holiness and usefulness.
3. If we have any reason to hope that we are growing in grace, we should ascribe all the glory to God. He is the author and finisher of our faith, Heb 12.2. The same grace that said to us, Live, continues this life. The same power that first brought us to God, must still be exerted, or else we will soon return to folly. It is not enough for grace to be implanted; the Spirit must help us to bring it into exercise. Has any corruption been subdued, any victory been gained, any progress been made in your race, any cubit been added to your stature? It is God who has done it. The smoking flax would be quenched, and the bruised reed entirely broken, if God was not to stand by you, and help you. your salvation is all of grace. Grace chose you from eternity, grace called you in time, grace sanctifies you, and carries you on from strength to strength; and at last, the same free grace will finish the work, and bring you into the immediate presence of God. It is no wonder, then, that the saints will forever sing grace, grace. May we learn the song here, and walk under a deep sense of unmerited grace, till we come to that world where we will put the crown upon our Redeemer’s head, and ascribe unwearied and everlasting praises to him who sits on the throne, and the Lamb.
4. How glorious heaven must be, where that work which God begins and carries on here, will be perfect! The end of ordinances is,“For the perfecting of the saints, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” Eph 4.11, etc. We are at best but babes here, when compared with what we shall be. We are now underage, and have our inheritance in prospect, not in possession. Here we are fatigued with numberless conflicts and struggles with sin and Satan. Now and then we get a victory, but again we are overcome. We make but slow progress in our way. It is difficult to get near to God, and to grow into his likeness. “But see, my soul, heaven is before you: heaven, where all your corruptions will be perfectly destroyed and you will have no more enemies to contend with, no more victories to gain, no more struggles with your own heart; but the conquest will be fully yours, and the top stone will be laid in your salvation. See, heaven is just at hand; where the new creature will be perfect, and appear in its beautiful and just proportions; where your understanding will be freed from all the remains of darkness, your will is in sweet and everlasting subjection to God, and that heart glows and burns with the purest flame of divine love. Happy hour! Desirable period! When I will put off the body of sin, and start into perfection in a moment; when I will no longer see through a glass darkly, but face to face; when I will no longer be a babe in Christ, but a perfect man.”
Awake, you saints, lift up your heads, for your redemption draws near. Get up on mount Pisgah, and view the heavenly land where your weary souls will be at everlasting rest, and all your longings will be eternally satisfied with the most perfect and exalted enjoyments.
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