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Growing in Grace

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 1, 1914

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 91, No. 1.

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Growing in Grace

By G. B. Thompson

G. B. THOMPSON
THE apostle exhorts, "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18. It is important that we grow. A plant that is not growing is dying. Still water becomes stagnant.
Yet we find many professed Christians who do not grow. They have no strength, and after many years of profession have to be fed on milk instead of strong food. Instead of being pillars in the church structure, they have to be propped up, or carried from place to place. The slightest breeze upsets them. In their lives there seems to be a kind of spiritual dry rot which hinders all growth. Though a vine in the Lord's vineyard, they bring no fruit to perfection. Why this stunted experience?
"A gentleman was preaching in the open air; his subject was 'Growth in Grace.' At the close of the meeting a man approached him and said, 'Our minister has been preaching some sermons on that subject, and I have been trying to grow in grace for a long time, but I find I do not succeed very well.' The preacher, pointing to a tree, said, 'Do you see that tree?' 'Yes,' was the reply. 'Well, it had to be planted before it could grow. In like manner you must be rooted and grounded in Christ before you can begin to grow.' The man understood the meaning and went away to find Christ, and soon he was saved and rooted in Christ, and brought forth fruit to his praise."
Surely, we should become "rooted and grounded in love." Bleak winds of discouragement are blowing. Every wind of doctrine is whistling about us. We look out upon a troubled sea. The mutterings about us indicate that a storm of great fury is about to break upon us. And unless we are growing and taking root, we shall be blown away and lost forever.
But how can we grow, you ask? Here is the answer: "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby." 1 Peter 2:2. The reason many do not grow in the Christian graces is because of a failure to study the Bible. This is why many become uncertain and shaky in the message. They fail to study God's Word, and are unable to understand the truth and discern the difference between some new thing and the teaching of the Scripture. Our only safety is in studying the Word.