Growth in Christ

Luke 2:40, 52; II Peter 1:1-8

GOLDEN TEXT: “Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”—II Peter 3:18

THERE is a philosophy in the growth and development of Christian character, just as truly as in the growth and development of vegetation; and the more thoroughly we acquaint ourselves with the natural processes and conditions for development and growth in either case, the better we shall understand how to cultivate and secure the desirable end—maturity and luxuriant fruitfulness.

Take, for example, a fruit tree. If one, knowing nothing about the necessity for cultivation, simply plants the tree and leaves it alone, its strength, instead of producing fruit, will generally go toward making wood and leaves; worms and decay may attack its roots, insects may sting and blight its scanty fruitage; and if it continues to stand, it will be only a useless cumberer of the ground, an advertisement of the farmer’s negligence and worthy only of having the ax laid to its roots. Had it been pruned and trimmed and kept free from insects, etc., under the blessing of air and rain and sunshine, it would have been a fruitful, creditable tree; for the laws of nature are true and faithful in all their operations.

And none the less rigid are the operations of moral law in the growth and development of moral character. Under proper conditions, and with proper, diligent cultivation, the character will grow and develop according to fixed laws, and will become beautiful and fruitful in blessings to self and others; or lacking the necessary cultivation, even under favorable natural conditions, it will be deformed and fruitless.

The Apostle Peter tells us how to proceed in the matter of cultivating Christian character; intimating that we cannot do it all in a day, nor in a few days, but only by a gradual, daily life work, a process of addition—adding virtue to virtue, grace to grace, day by day, and hour by hour. He says, “Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue [fortitude]; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance [self-control]; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly-kindness; and to brotherly-kindness, charity [love].” Then he adds, “If ye do these things, ye shall never fall.”—II Pet. 1:5-7,10

This is a very strong assurance that if we do these things we are sure to stand approved of God. We do well, therefore, to consider them with special care. Here are eight elements which must go toward making up the Christian character, the one to be added to the other and assimilated by the spiritual germ of the new nature, until the embryo, the new creature, is formed; and then it must continue to grow and develop. Let us look at them again. They are: (1) faith, (2) virtue (fortitude), (3) knowledge, (4) temperance (self-control), (5) patience, (6) godliness, (7) brotherly-kindness, (8) charity (love).

It would be well now for each of us to conduct a little self-examination. Let each ask himself: Have I the faith to which the apostle here refers; not faith in everything, nor every person, but faith in God—in His plan of redemption through the vicarious, or substitutionary sacrifice of Christ, and in all His rich promises built upon that sure foundation? And is a “thus saith the Lord” at the end of all controversy, the solution of all doubt and the restful assurance in every perplexity?

Am I endeavoring to lead a virtuous life? This, to the child of God, consecrated to be a living sacrifice, implies much, more than merely abstaining from evil. It implies the cultivation of the strictest integrity in our dealings, both with God and with our fellow-men, scrupulous honesty, justice and truth being the only standards.

And am I endeavoring day by day to gain a more thorough and complete knowledge of God, of the plan revealed in His Word, and of the special features now in operation, that I may cooperate with Him in its execution? Neglect of this divinely appointed means of knowledge is equivalent to setting up our own imperfect standards of righteousness and ignoring the divine standard.

Am I temperate, moderate, exercising self-control in all things—eating, drinking, in home arrangements, in conduct, thought, word, and deed? Self-control is indeed one of the most important elements of Christian character. “He that ruleth his spirit is better than he that taketh a city,” is the counsel of the Lord’s Word on the subject.

Am I patient under trial and difficulty, keeping my feelings always under the control of enlightened reason, letting patience have its perfect work in cultivating character, however severely the plow and the harrow may break up the subsoil of my heart, and meekly submitting to the Lord’s disciplining in every such experience?

Am I carefully observing and endeavoring to pattern my character and course of action after the divine model? How beautifully we shall be able to grace and fill whatever station we occupy in life, if we carefully study and copy godliness (God-likeness), whether we be parents or children, masters or servants, rich or poor.

How important, too, that brotherly-kindness shall characterize all my actions. Does it indeed cause me to make due allowance for the inherited weaknesses and the misfortunes of others? And on the other hand, as I look myself squarely in the face, and recognize my own imperfections, do I thankfully accept a brother’s proffered aid, and meekly bear reproof, determining by the grace of God will overcome such imperfections and prove myself a help rather than a hindrance to others?

Finally, have I charity (love unfeigned) for the unrighteous and unlovely, as well as for the good and beautiful, a love which is ever ready to manifest itself in wise and helpful activity for saint and sinner; a love which pities, helps, comforts, cheers and blesses all within its reach—thus manifesting and cultivating the disposition which must be found in (every member of that glorious company which will constitute the King’s cabinet in the incoming age? If this disposition is not begun, cultivated and developed here, we shall not be considered worthy of that office there.

QUESTIONS:

Can the growth of Christian character be likened to the growth of vegetation? If so, what lessons may we learn from the latter?

What are the eight elements of Christian character mentioned by the apostle in II Peter 1:5-7?

Is it necessary that Christian character be cultivated and developed by the Christian while in the flesh in order that he may be assured of an abundant entrance into the Kingdom?

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