Growing in Grace

Computer networks have become important systems in today’s competitive marketplace. They enable teams of workers in different offices, at regional sites, and even from around the world to join together on tasks that would otherwise be difficult if not impossible.

One way of setting up a network is to use a central computer to handle the main programming, storage, and communication functions, with remote workstations for individual input and retrieval. This is similar to the situation that Jesus described in His image of the vine and the branches (John 15:1–10):

(1) Jesus is the key (15:1). Like the central processing unit of a computer system, Jesus provides the life, the direction, and the commands for His followers, those of us “on-line.”

(2) To be effective, believers must maintain their relationship with Jesus (15:4). In order to use the features of a network, a user must remain attached to the network. If one “signs off,” there is no more access to the central computer or to others in the network. Likewise, if we allow sin to disrupt our walk with Christ, we lose fellowship with Him and with other believers (1 John 1:6–7).

(4) To love Jesus is to follow His commands (15:9–10). Occasionally network users receive an “error message” indicating that they have not followed the instructions of the program correctly. By the same token, Jesus has given us commands to follow, and the only way to experience His life and power is to obey those commands. To do so is not only practical, but an expression of our love for the Lord.

Are you “on-line” with Jesus, drawing on His resources and obeying His commands? Is your life productive, accomplishing the tasks and responsibilities that He has assigned to you? ♦[1]

[1] Word in Life Study Bible, electronic ed. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1996), Jn 15:1.

How Does Spiritual Growth Occur?

One of the greatest causes of anxiety for newly baptized Christians is their desire for spiritual growth. They desperately want to please God in everything and begin to see more and more how defective and deficient they are. Their eyes are opened to new struggles and battles over issues and habits that they never gave any thought of before they gave their lives to Christ. I have often conversed with sincere beautiful people who become wracked with anxiety because they are not growing spiritually as fast as they believe they should be growing.

1 Peter 2:1–2 NKJV

1 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,

What encourages spiritual growth? We just read it… feeding upon the Word of God. But can we explain the science behind spiritual growth so that we can break it down into teachable blocks of knowledge that will ensure that everyone grows the same way and at the same rate? You know, like a trusted and true recipe. Perhaps we could learn how to manipulate growth? Wouldn’t that be great?

Not all the wisdom and skill of man can produce life in the smallest object in nature. It is only through the life which God Himself has imparted, that either plant or animal can live. So it is only through the life from God that spiritual life is begotten in the hearts of men. Unless a man is “born from above,” he cannot become a partaker of the life which Christ came to give. John 3:3, margin.

Ellen Gould White, Steps to Christ (Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1892), 67.

The bottom line is, we cannot understand the “science” behind how one grows spiritually, it is a mystery that is initiated and maintained by God.

Therefore, the anxiety that many who are young in faith experience will not help them to grow any faster.

Matthew 6:26–27 NKJV

26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

Steps to Christ Chapter 8—Growing up into Christ

The child cannot, by any anxiety or power of its own, add to its stature. No more can you, by anxiety or effort of yourself, secure spiritual growth. The plant, the child, grows by receiving from its surroundings that which ministers to its life—air, sunshine, and food. What these gifts of nature are to animal and plant, such is Christ to those who trust in Him.

A study showed that anxious girls had high blood levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can stunt growth. It’s not the same with boys, but the point is, anxiety can impair physical growth. Similarly, anxiety will impair spiritual growth for both men and women. Those who trust in Christ will grow spiritually, just the plant that bathes in the sun and receives water and nutrients.

What Can Enhance Spiritual Growth?

Steps to Christ Chapter 8—Growing up into Christ

In the matchless gift of His Son, God has encircled the whole world with an atmosphere of grace as real as the air which circulates around the globe. All who choose to breathe this life-giving atmosphere will live and grow up to the stature of men and women in Christ Jesus.

Yes friends, bathing in the atmosphere of grace that Christ provides enhances spiritual growth. Rather, I could say that this is critical for spiritual growth.

What does it mean to bathe in an atmosphere of grace?

John 15:4–5 NKJV

4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

What results from abiding in Christ?

Mark 4:26–29 NKJV

26 And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, 27 and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. 28 For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. 29 But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

Yes friends, when we abide in Jesus we will experience continued spiritual growth.

An additional question probably sprung in your minds, “What does it mean to abide in Christ?” “How can I abide in Christ?”

Colossians 2:6 NKJV

6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,

Steps to Christ Chapter 8—Growing up into Christ

By faith you became Christ’s, and by faith you are to grow up in Him—by giving and taking. You are to give all,—your heart, your will, your service,—give yourself to Him to obey all His requirements; and you must take all,—Christ, the fullness of all blessing, to abide in your heart, to be your strength, your righteousness, your everlasting helper,—to give you power to obey.

Steps to Christ Chapter 8—Growing up into Christ

Consecrate yourself to God in the morning; make this your very first work. Let your prayer be, “Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy service. Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in Thee.” This is a daily matter. Each morning consecrate yourself to God for that day. Surrender all your plans to Him, to be carried out or given up as His providence shall indicate.

What Can Impair Spiritual Growth?

We saw earlier that worry will impair spiritual growth, but there are other dangers that we need to be aware of.

Author Dan Day points out six obstacles that prevent us from enjoying spiritual growth in his book Getting It Right: Surviving the six most common obstacles to spiritual growth. What are they...

Read six points:

In addition to these points Ellen White brings our attention a critical factor that will endanger spiritual growth.

Steps to Christ Chapter 8—Growing up into Christ

When the mind dwells upon self, it is turned away from Christ, the source of strength and life. Hence it is Satan’s constant effort to keep the attention diverted from the Saviour and thus prevent the union and communion of the soul with Christ. The pleasures of the world, life’s cares and perplexities and sorrows, the faults of others, or your own faults and imperfections—to any or all of these he will seek to divert the mind. Do not be misled by his devices.

What Does Abiding in Christ Look Like?

Steps to Christ Chapter 8—Growing up into Christ

A life in Christ is a life of restfulness. There may be no ecstasy of feeling, but there should be an abiding, peaceful trust. Your hope is not in yourself; it is in Christ.

In other words, if we are worried we should quickly cast our cares at the feet of Jesus. We should be wary of anything that takes us out of state of peaceful trust in Jesus. Paradoxically friends, we should never depend upon feelings or empirical evidence to determine whether or not we are abiding in Christ. We must trust in His Word, trust in His promises, and rest. Whenever we are tempted to fall for the enemies devices we aught to watch, strive, and pray. For what should we watch?

In Heavenly Places We May Triumph Gloriously, September 29

Watch against the stealthy approach of the enemy, watch against old habits and natural inclinations, lest they assert themselves; force them back, and watch. Watch the thoughts, watch the plans, lest they become self-centered. Watch over the souls that Christ has purchased with His own blood. Watch for opportunities to do them good.

Above all, after we watch, strive, and pray… rest in Jesus. Rest in His loving arms.

Matthew 11:28–29 NKJV

28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.