"Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."
--2 Peter 3:18
"Grow in grace"--not in one grace only, but in
all grace. Grow in that
root-grace,
faith. Believe the promises more firmly than you have done.
Let faith increase in fulness, constancy, simplicity. Grow also in
love.
Ask that your love may become extended, more intense, more practical,
influencing every thought, word, and deed. Grow likewise in
humility.
Seek to lie very low, and know more of your own nothingness. As you grow
downward in humility, seek also to grow
upward--having nearer
approaches to God in prayer and more intimate fellowship with Jesus. May God the
Holy Spirit enable you to "
grow in the knowledge of our Lord and
Saviour." He who grows not in the knowledge of Jesus, refuses to be blessed.
To know Him is "life eternal," and to advance in the knowledge of Him is to
increase in happiness. He who does not long to know more of Christ, knows
nothing of Him yet. Whoever hath sipped this wine will thirst for more, for
although Christ doth satisfy, yet it is such a satisfaction, that the appetite
is not cloyed, but whetted. If you know the love of Jesus--as the hart panteth
for the water-brooks, so will you pant after deeper draughts of His love. If you
do not desire to know Him better, then you love Him not, for love always cries,
"Nearer, nearer." Absence from Christ is hell; but the presence of Jesus is
heaven. Rest not then content without an increasing acquaintance with Jesus.
Seek to know more of Him in His divine nature, in His human relationship, in His
finished work, in His death, in His resurrection, in His present glorious
intercession, and in His future royal advent. Abide hard by the Cross, and
search the mystery of His wounds. An increase of love to Jesus, and a more
perfect apprehension of His love to us is one of the best tests of growth in
grace.
Morning and Evening Index
