Grow …

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 3:18

There are many satisfied Christians in the fallen churches who see no need to continue studying God s word and growing spiritually. They are happily enjoying their worldly habits and enjoying the fact that they are told they can enjoy eternal life when their journey on this earth is finished. There are also many satisfied people in God s church. People who feel very righteous and spiritual and see no need to continue growing. There are also some people who are trying to work their way to heaven; by doing the least that they possibly must in order to remain a church member. Neither of these types of people
have improved spiritually or gained spiritual knowledge for years, however they are still keeping the rules of the church and therefore continue to remain church members. Little growth is seen they feel as though they are good enough and have reached the platform. These people will be bitterly disappointed when Jesus comes. They will cry unto the Lord and saying, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? and He will answer, I never ever knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:22,23.

Christian life requires growth. We are far from the perfect image that Jesus wants to create in us. His knowledge far surpasses ours and He wants to impart it to us. Compare your life as to where you were a year ago? Have you seen improvement?

We are told to grow in grace in the opening Bible verse. It didn t say grow in character or in knowledge it says grow in grace. What is grace? One definition is mercy, clemency, or pardon. We are to become more firmly established in a personal experience of Christ s own gracious kindness.

When we think of the word grow, we think of living things, whether people, animals plants or bacteria. Jesus spoke several parables regarding Christian growth and He compared our growth to the growth of plants. There is always growth when we surrender to Christ. If a Christian is not growing, I question their connection with Jesus.

The plants and flowers grow not by their own care or anxiety or effort, but by receiving that which God has furnished to minister to their life. 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. He is their everlasting light, a sun and shield. Isaiah 60:19; Psalm 84:11. He shall be as the dew unto Israel. He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass. Hosea 14:5; Psalm 72:6. He is the living water, the Bread of God…which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. John 6:33. SC 67

What kind of effort do the plants make to grow? Do they not simply draw on the energy stores in the sunshine and soil and using those elements they grow? It doesn t sound too difficult. How strong are plants? Man can squash them if they want, they can also uproot them or poison them and they will die, but if left to their own they can be very strong. Have you ever seen plants grow up through the tiniest cracks in a pavement? Plants can be very strong when man leaves them alone. Roots of trees have been known to tear up roads ?and sidewalks open solid steel coffins. In your spiritual life if you try to manipulate things the way you want them to be to try to live the Christian life in your own strength, you will not be strong. But if you surrender yourself to Jesus and leave things to Him, you will grow strong like the mighty cedar.

WEEDS

What about weeds? What is a weed? Weeds are simply displaced plants. They are plants growing where we do not want them to grow. In our lawn we want grass to grow and are disappointed when it is thin and scanty with many bare spots; so we may add fertilizer, plant more grass seeds and put some fresh soil on top. Just let those grass plants grow in our vegetable garden and then we consider them obnoxious weeds and we uproot them as fast as they grow. As we uproot those weeds, they may disappear for a time, but may reappear time and time again. It is a constant battle to keep our vegetable gardens free from weeds.

Sometimes our Christian life is like weeds. We fall down get uprooted over and over again when Satan attacks us. However, we need to be persistent. Just get up again and go on, don t give up. Satan would want more than anything to have Christians give up after they stumble, but a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. Proverbs 24:16

Satan suggests that you are helpless and cannot bless yourself. It is true; you are helpless. But lift up Jesus before him: I have a risen Saviour. In His name I triumph. He is my righteousness and my crown of rejoicing. Let no one here feel that his case is hopeless, for it is not. You may see that you are sinful and undone, but it is just on this account that you need a Saviour. If you have sins to confess, lose no time. These moments are golden. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9). Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness will be
filled, for Jesus has promised it. Precious Saviour! His arms are open to receive us, and His great heart of love is waiting to bless us. Faith and Works 37/38. Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me. Micah 7:8.

Weeds have also been compared to sin. Once indulged, they can take a deep root in the heart and it takes much effort to pull them free. If only the plants above the surface are pulled off and the roots are left to grow, the weeds will regrow. Sin must be completely rooted out of the heart.

SEEDS

All plants grow from seeds. Each seed produces only one kind of plant. An apple seed will never grow into a lemon tree. Likewise in our Christian life we reap what we have sown. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:7 8.

Many people are not planting good seeds. God destroys no man. Everyone who is destroyed will have destroyed himself. Everyone who stifles the admonitions of conscience is sowing the seeds of unbelief, and these will produce a sure harvest. By rejecting the first warning from God, Pharaoh of old sowed the seeds of obstinacy, and he reaped obstinacy.
God did not compel him to disbelieve. The seed of unbelief, which he sowed, produced a harvest of its kind. Thus his resistance continued, until he looked upon his devastated land, upon the cold, dead form of his first-born, and the first-born of all in his house and of all the families in his kingdom, until the waters of the sea closed over his horses and his chariots and his men of war. His history is a fearful illustration of the truth of the words that whatsoever a
man soweth, that shall he also reap. Gal. 6:7. Did men but realize this, they would be careful what seed they sow. COL 84

From this quote we see that Pharaoh planted seeds of obstinacy. He firmly and perversely adhered to his erroneous beliefs, disregarding all the evidence given him that there is a God in heaven who is greater than he is and it would do well for Him to serve this God. He also planted the seeds of unbelief and what a terrible result he reaped.

Are we sowing seeds of obstinacy or unbelief? We may belong to God’s remnant church, but what about issues we consider minor details in the Spirit of Prophecy that ?we may feel are not so important? Are they words from God or man? It is often issues that people think are very small and minor that causes the undoing of many. It may be a little indulgence of appetite, a minor breach of the Sabbath, a little white lie or a dislike for dress reform. It is obstinacy and unbelief that keep many from a full surrender. If we are not faithful in these points that we think are minor points, how can we ever hope to be faithful in greater matters?

It is Satan that tries to plant these seeds, Ever since the fall of man, Satan has been sowing the seeds of error. COL 37

If we have Jesus with us, those seeds can be prevented from germinating. Jesus can pull up the weeds of sin as they appear.
We need to allow Jesus to plant the good seeds of truth and righteousness. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Cor. 3:18.

Mustard Seed: The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. Matthew 13:31,32. The work of grace in the heart is small in its beginning. A word is spoken, a ray of light is shed into the soul, an influence is exerted that is the beginning of the new life; and who can measure its results? COL 78.1 This is the kind of seeds that need to be sown. The mustard seeds will grow into a large plant, and likewise the seeds of truth in our hearts will grow.

SOWER

(Jesus is the sower in the parables that He taught when on the earth. He also has helpers who assist in sowing the seeds. I have planted, Apollos watered;
but God gave the increase. Acts 3 3:6 So those who are called to unite with Christ must leave all, in order to follow Him. Old associations must be broken up, plans of life relinquished, earthly hopes surrendered. In toil and tears, in solitude, and through sacrifice, must the seed be sown. COL 37. This is a difficult task that is required old associations broken up life plans relinquished earthly hopes surrended and then through much sacrifice the seed must be sown. How could Jesus ?ask this of us? It is the only way to true happiness. It is hard to leave the old life and many have turned away, like the rich
young ruler, because they loved their worldly possessions and associates too much. Many have refused the call of Jesus to be with His people, only because of social contacts. They could not leave their old friends behind in the other churches and join a small remnant of people. Just a small group; it was too much of a sacrifice to make. Or then to leave behind worldly associations who lead them in the wrong way is very difficult. They may have believed the truth 100%, but could not turn their backs on the world. But the promise is given to us. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. Psalm 126:5. We are all called to join with Jesus in the work of sowing the seed.

PREPARE THE SOIL

In order to have a good crop, the soil must be prepared. If the soil is too hard, the seeds cannot penetrate and send their roots down. If there are too many rocks, the plant will spring up quickly but will also die out quickly since the roots have no depth. There may be thorns that choke the plants as they grow. We need to spiritually prepare the soil before planting the seeds of truth. In labouring in a new field, do not think it your duty to say at once to the people, We are Seventh-day Adventists; we believe that the seventh day is the Sabbath; we believe in the nonimmortality of the soul. This would often erect a formidable barrier between you and those you wish to reach. Speak to them, as you have opportunity, upon points of doctrine on which you can agree. Dwell on the necessity of practical godliness. Give them evidence that you are a Christian, desiring peace, and that you love their souls. Let them see that you are conscientious. Thus you will gain their confidence; and there will be time enough for doctrines. Let the heart be won, the soil prepared, and then sow the seed, presenting in love the truth as it is in Jesus. Ev 200

THE SOIL

In the parable that Jesus told about the sower who went to sow, the seeds fell in four different types of ground. They were briefly mentioned in the paragraph above. How do you treat the message? That with which the parable of the sower chiefly deals is the effect produced on the growth of the seed by the soil into which it is cast. By this parable Christ was virtually ?saying to His hearers, it is not safe for you to stand as critics of My work, or to
indulge disappointment because it does not meet your ideas. The question of greatest importance to you is, How do you treat My message? Upon your reception or rejection of it your eternal destiny depends. COL 43

The wayside (hard soil): The seed sown by the wayside represents the word of God as it falls upon the heart of an inattentive hearer. Like the hard-beaten path, trodden down by the feet of men and beasts, is the heart that becomes a highway for the world’s traffic, its pleasures and sins. Absorbed in selfish aims and sinful indulgences, the soul is 22hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Heb. 3:13. The spiritual faculties are paralysed. Men hear the word, but understand it not. They do not discern that it applies to themselves. They do not realize their need or their danger. They do not perceive the love of Christ, and they pass by the message of His grace as something that does not concern them. COL 44

As the birds are ready to catch up the seed from the wayside, so Satan is ready to catch away the seeds of divine truth from the soul. He fears that the word of God may awaken the careless, and take effect upon the hardened heart. Satan and his angels are in the assemblies where the gospel is preached. While angels of heaven endeavour to impress hearts with the word of God, the enemy is on the alert to make the word of no effect. With an earnestness equalled only by his malice, he tries to thwart the work of the Spirit of God. While Christ is drawing the soul by His love, Satan tries to turn away the attention of the one who is moved to seek the Saviour. He engages the mind with worldly schemes. He excites criticism, or insinuates doubt and unbelief. The speaker’s choice of language or his manner may not please the hearers, and they dwell upon these defects. Thus the truth they need, and which God
has graciously sent them, makes no lasting impression. COL 44

Satan has many helpers. Many who profess to be Christians are aiding the tempter to catch away the seeds of truth from other hearts. Many who listen to the preaching of the word of God make it the subject of criticism at home. They sit in judgment on the sermon as they would on the words of a lecturer or a political speaker. The message that should be regarded as the word of the Lord to them is dwelt upon with trifling or sarcastic comment. The minister’s
character, motives, and actions, and the conduct of fellow members of the church, are freely discussed. Severe judgment is pronounced, gossip or slander repeated, and this in the hearing of the unconverted. Often these things are spoken by parents in the hearing of their own children. Thus are destroyed respect for God’s messengers, and reverence for their message. And many are taught to regard lightly God’s word itself. COL 44/45

In Stony Places: The hot summer sun, that strengthens and ripens the hardy grain, destroys that which has no depth of root. So he who hath not root in himself, dureth for a while; but when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. Many receive the gospel as a
way of escape from suffering, rather than as a deliverance from sin. They rejoice for a season, for they think that religion will free them from difficulty and trial. While life moves smoothly with them, they may appear to be consistent Christians. But they faint beneath the fiery test of temptation.
They cannot bear reproach for Christ’s sake. When the word of God points out some cherished sin, or requires self-denial or sacrifice, they are offended. It would cost them too much effort to make a radical change in their life. They look at the present inconvenience and trial, and forget the eternal realities. Like the disciples who left Jesus, they are ready to say, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? John 6:60. COL 47

Thorns: Cares of this world & The deceitfulness of riches. The love of riches has an infatuating, deceptive power. Too often those who possess worldly treasure forget that it is God who gives them power to get wealth. They say, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. Deut. 8:17. Their riches, instead of awakening gratitude to God, lead to the exaltation of self. They lose the sense of their dependence upon God and their obligation to their fellow men. Instead of regarding wealth as a talent to be employed for the glory of God and the uplifting of humanity, they look upon it as a means of serving themselves. Instead of developing in man the attributes of God, riches thus used are developing in him the attributes of Satan. The seed of the word is choked with thorns. COL 52

Good Ground: Merely to hear or to read the word is not enough. He who desires to be profited by the Scriptures must meditate upon the truth that has been presented to him. By earnest attention and prayerful thought he must learn the meaning of the words of truth, and drink deep of the spirit of the holy oracles.

A knowledge of the truth depends not so much upon strength of intellect as upon pureness of purpose, the simplicity of an earnest, dependent faith. To those who in humility of heart seek for divine guidance, angels of God draw near. The Holy Spirit is given to open to them the rich treasures of the truth.
The good-ground hearers, having heard the word, keep it. Satan with all his agencies of evil is not able to catch it away. COL 59

GROWTH

For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. Mark 4:28. A plant grows slowly and imperceptibly. A seed planted today will not produce a mighty oak tomorrow. How often we expect that from our children or from those we are
studying the Bible with. We get impatient with their slow growth and want them to be mighty cedars very quickly. However this is not the way the Holy Spirit works. However there must be growth, and Christian growth is described in several different ways in the Bible.

Peter’s Ladder. Although written in the book of Peter and often described as Peter’s ladder, in reality is Jesus ladder. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-8. We must take the first step of faith and climb the ladder, one step at a time. We can never
hope to be patient if we are not temperate. Our goal is to reach the top and to have our lives filled with the love of God.

Justification Sanctification: The germination of the seed represents the beginning of spiritual life, and the development of the plant is a beautiful figure of Christian growth. As in nature, so in grace; there can be no life without growth. The plant must either grow or die. As its growth is silent and imperceptible, but continuous, so is the development of the Christian life. At every stage of development our life may be perfect; yet if God’s purpose for us is fulfilled, there will be continual advancement. Sanctification is the work of a lifetime. As our opportunities multiply, our experience will enlarge, and our knowledge increases. We shall become strong to bear responsibility, and our maturity will be in proportion to our privileges. COL 65

Although we are justified in a moment, Sanctification is not the work of a moment, an hour, or a day. It is a continual growth in grace. We know not one day how strong will be our conflict the next. Satan lives, and is active, and every day we need to cry earnestly to God for help and strength to resist him. As long as Satan reigns we shall have self to subdue, besetment to overcome, and there is no stopping place, there is no point to which we can come and say we have fully attained. 1T 340. Therefore we must be continually growing. As we near the close of time Satan is getting angry. He goes about as a roaring lion & seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8. Therefore it is of vital importance that we are growing closer to Jesus or we will have no hope against the devices of the enemy.

Early Rain Latter Rain: We are all waiting and praying for the outpouring of the Latter Rain so that the Holy Spirit can be poured out with great measure on God s people. The latter rain will only fall on those that have allowed the Lord to sanctify their hearts. Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in
the first month. Joel 2:23.

The Latter Rain, ripening earth’s harvest, represents the spiritual grace that prepares the church for the coming of the Son of man. But unless the former rain has fallen, there will be no life; the green blade will not spring up. Unless the early showers have done their work, the latter rain can bring no seed to perfection. TM 506

The Early Rain Produces Conversion;
The Latter Rain Develops a Christlike Character

At no point in our experience can we dispense with the assistance of that which enables us to make the first start. The blessings received under the former
rain are needful to us to the end & As we seek God for the Holy Spirit, it will work in us meekness, humbleness of mind, a conscious dependence upon God for the perfecting latter rain. TM 507, 509.

We may have had a measure of the Spirit of God, but by prayer and faith we are continually to seek more of the Spirit. It will never do to cease our efforts. If we do not progress, if we do not place ourselves in an attitude to receive both the former and the latter rain, we shall lose our souls, and the responsibility will lie at our own door. TM 508

It is left with us to remedy the defects in our characters, to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement. Then the latter rain will fall upon us as the early rain fell upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost. 5T 214

There is nothing that Satan fears so much as, that the people of God shall clear the way by removing every hindrance, so that the Lord can pour out His Spirit upon a languishing church & Every temptation, every opposing influence, whether open or secret, may be successfully resisted, not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts (Zech. 4:6). 1SM 124

We may be sure that when the Holy Spirit is poured out, those who did not receive and appreciate the early rain will not see or understand the value of the latter rain. TM 399

Only those who are living up to the light they have will receive greater light. Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it. TM 507

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; Acts 3:19.

I saw that none could share the refreshing unless they obtain the victory over every besetment, over pride, selfishness, love of the world, and over every wrong word and action. We should therefore be drawing nearer and nearer to the Lord and be earnestly seeking that preparation necessary to enable us to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord. EW 71

HEART EXAMINATION

Closely examine your own heart, and the state of your affections toward God. Inquire; Have I devoted the precious moments of today in seeking to please
myself, seeking for my own amusement? or have I made others happy? Have I helped those connected with me to greater devotion to God and to appreciate eternal things? Have I brought my religion into my home, and there revealed the grace of Christ in my words and in my deportment? By my respectful obedience, have I honoured my parents, and thus kept the fifth commandment? Have I cheerfully taken up my little, everyday duties, performing them with fidelity, doing what I could to lighten the burdens of others? Have I kept my lips from evil, and my tongue from speaking guile? Have I honoured Christ my Redeemer, who gave His precious life that eternal life might be within my reach? MYP 122

The only way to grow in grace is to be disinterestedly doing the very work which Christ has enjoined upon us–to engage, to the extent of our ability, in helping and blessing those who need the help we can give them. Strength comes by exercise; activity is the very condition of life. Those who endeavour to maintain Christian life by passively accepting the blessings that come through the means of grace, and doing nothing for Christ, are simply trying to live by eating without working. And in the spiritual as in the natural world, this always results in degeneration and decay. A man who would refuse to exercise his
limbs would soon lose all power to use them. Thus the Christian who will not exercise his God-given powers not only fails to grow up into Christ, but he loses the strength that he already had. SC 80

May God help us to be continually growing in grace and knowledge that we may be ready for the outpouring of the latter rain when it comes.
AMEN

Wendy Eaton, Australia