2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. I. HOW MANY WAYS MAY A CHRISTIAN BE SAID TO GROW IN GRACE? 1. He grows in the exercise of grace; his lamp is burning and shining. 2. He grows in the degree of grace (Psalm 84:7). II. WHAT IS THE RIGHT MANNER OF A CHRISTIAN'S GROWTH? 1. To grow less in one's own eyes. 2. To grow proportionably — in one grace as well as another. 3. When a Christian has grace suitable to his several employments and occasions. III. WHENCE IS IT THAT TRUE GRACE CANNOT BUT GROW? 1. It is proper for grace to grow; it is the seed of God. 2. Grace cannot but grow from the sweetness and excellency of it; he that hath grace is never weary of it, but still would have more. 3. Grace cannot but grow from a believer's ingrafting into Christ; he who is a scion, ingrafted into this noble, generous stock, cannot but grow. IV. WHAT MOTIVES OR INCENTIVES ARE THERE TO MAKE US GROW IN GRACE? 1. Growth is the end of the ordinances. 2. The growth of grace is the best evidence of the truth of it. 3. Growth in grace is the beauty of a Christian. 4. The more we grow in grace, the more glory we bring to God. 5. The more we grow in grace, the more will God love us. 6. What need have we to grow in grace? There is still something lacking in our faith. Grace is but in its infancy and minority, and we must still be adding a cubit to our spiritual stature. 7. The growth of grace will hinder the growth of corruption. As some plants have an antipathy, and will not thrive if they grow near together, as the vine and the bay tree: so, where grace grows, sin will not thrive so fast. 8. We cannot grow too much in grace; there is no excess there. The body may grow too great, as in the dropsy; but faith cannot grow too great: "your faith groweth exceedingly"; here was exceeding, yet not excess. As a man cannot have too much health, so not too much grace. 9. Such as do not grow in grace, decay in grace. "Not to advance in the path of life is to return." 10. The more we grow in grace, the more we shall flourish in glory. V. HOW SHALL WE KNOW WHETHER WE GROW IN GRACE? 1. The signs of our not growing in grace, but rather falling into a spiritual consumption. (1) When we have lost our spiritual appetite. (2) When we grow more worldly. (3) When we are less troubled about sin. 2. The signs of our growing in grace. (1) When we are got beyond ore" former measures of grace. (2) When we are more firmly rooted in religion, rooted in Him, and established: the spreading of the root shows the growth of the tree. (3) When we have a more spiritual frame of heart. More spiritual in our principles, affections, and performance of duty. (4) When grace gets ground by opposition. The fire, by an antiperistasis, burns hottest in the coldest season. The martyrs' zeal was increased by persecution. Here was grace of the first magnitude. VI. WHAT SHALL WE DO TO GROW IN GRACE? 1. Take heed of that which will hinder its growth — the love of any sin. 2. Use all means for growth in grace. It is better to grow in grace than gifts; gifts are for ornament; grace is for nourishment, to edify others, to save ourselves. VII. HOW MAY WE COMFORT SUCH AS COMPLAIN THEY DO NOT GROW IN GRACE? They may mistake; they may grow when they think they do not. The sight Christians have of their defects in grace, and their thirst after greater measures of grace, makes them think they do not grow when they do. Let Christians be thankful for the least growth. If you do not grow so much in assurance, bless God if you grow in sincerity; if you do not grow so much in knowledge, bless God if you grow in humility. If a tree grows in the root, it is a true growth; if you grow in the root grace of humility, it is as needful for you as any other growth. (T. Watson.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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