How May a Christian Know That He or She is Growing in Grace?, by Samuel Pike and Samuel Hayward.

Описание: How May a Christian Know That He or She is Growing in Grace?, by Samuel Pike and Samuel Hayward. The following contains Case Eighteen of his work, "Religious Cases of Conscience Answered in an Evangelical Manner, To Which is Added the Spiritual Companion Or The Professing Christian Tried at the Bar Of God’s Word; and Some Free Thoughts On The Character Of The Happy Man." Originally Published 1755.

Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 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.
— 2 Peter 3:17-18

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
— Ephesians 4:14-15

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
— Colossians 1:10

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
— 2 Thessalonians 1:3

It is a question of some peculiar weight that I have before me. The resolution of it has a tendency to remove the Christian’s fears, help him in examining his soul, and stir him up to a holy diligence and watchfulness in his spiritual course, that he may not be trifling and slothful, but press on towards the mark, and so make some progress on his way to Zion. Here I will,

I. Make a few observations, that may be necessary to clear this important point. And,

II. Mention a few instances in which it will appear that the Christian, notwithstanding all the opposition he meets with, really grows in grace.

I. I would make a few observations, that may be necessary to clear this important point.

1. Growth in grace is generally imperceptible to the Christian himself. For the most part, it is of a very gradual nature. It is like a plant which grows insensibly, or like a babe which becomes stronger and taller, till at length he has all the proportions of a man; and yet you don’t see how this is done. In time, you find an alteration, but you cannot perceive the steps by which he approaches nearer and nearer to manhood. Thus it is with the Christian. He is first a babe, being weak in knowledge and grace; then he is a young man; and after that he is a father. 44 These speak of great improvement; and yet in general, this is so gradual that the Christian is insensible of it. He is at first a plant; but afterwards he may be compared to a tree, and so he goes on oftentimes, till at length he becomes a tall cedar in Lebanon. And yet the steps by which he ascends to this height in stature are chiefly imperceptible.

2. Sometimes growth in grace is quicker and more visible. God does great work in a little time. Some Christians make great improvements, and soon come to a state of manhood. They ripen apace for a better world, and make great advances in the divine life. When God is like dew to their souls, they revive as the corn, grow as the vine, shoot forth their branches, and make a green and flourishing appearance. “When the Sun of righteousness arises upon them with healing under his wings, they go out, and grow fat like calves of the stall.” Mal 4.2. Like the sun in its return from the winter solstice, nourishes frozen nature by its warmth and makes it look green and beautiful, so when the Sun of Righteousness, after a long time of withdrawal, comes to shine again upon the soul, he feels the warmth of his reviving beams, and finds a glorious and sudden alteration. He is then like calves fattened in the stall, which are fit for slaughter, and therefore make much quicker improvements than those that are in the open field. The Christian, like them, grows fat, and makes very visible advances in holiness. When God fills the pool of ordinances with his heavenly rain, we are sensible of it, feel the refreshment and go from strength to strength.

3. On the whole, we may have made some progress in the Christian life, even if for the present we may appear to be going backward. Some corruptions may for the present harass our souls and have led us aside. By some neglect or other, we may have grieved the Holy Spirit, and he may have left us for a time. And so we may appear to be in a declining and withering condition, though on the whole we may have made some progress in grace, and may have gotten some cubits added to our spiritual stature since we gave ourselves to Christ.

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