God has assigned to each creature his station and measure of perfection, having created in each creature the inclination to be in that station and to strive for perfection. Heavy objects have a downward inclination, whereas fire is inclined to go upward, and the sparks of fire rise upward to float away. A fish seeks out the water, a bird chooses the air, and other animals seek out dry ground. As soon as a seed germinates, the plant will not rest until it has attained its proper height and size. As soon as a living creature is born, it will seek for food in order that he might grow. This is also true for spiritual life. As soon as a believer has been regenerated, he will be dissatisfied with the feeble measure of grace he possesses, and will at once be desirous to grow—yes, would desire to be perfect at once. This is so typical for a believer, that whoever does not have this smarting desire is no true believer.
Our attempt to understand the essence of a given matter will be in vain if we do not first of all know what this essence is. Therefore, we shall 1) show that growth is common to all believers, 2) show what the nature of spiritual growth is, 3) call man to examine himself to ascertain whether he is growing or not, 4) subsequently exhort everyone to strive for growth, 5) warn for obstacles which impede one’s growth, and 6) identify those means which are subservient unto growth.
Natural to All Believers
That it is natural for a believer to grow—a truth which is to be impressed upon your heart—is evident for the following reasons:
First, God promises that He will cause His regenerated children to grow. “Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God” (Ps 92:13); “I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon” (Hos 14:5-6); “Ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall” (Mal 4:2). God’s promises are in truth, and He who has declared them will also perform them. Let the godly person remind the Lord of this.
Secondly, it is the very nature of spiritual life to grow. Wherever the principle of this life is to be found, it can be no different for it must grow. “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day” (Prov 4:18); “The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger” (Job 17:9). This refers to the children of God, who are compared to palm and cedar trees (Ps 92:12). As natural as it is for children and trees to grow, so natural is growth for the regenerated children of God.
Thirdly, the growth of His children is the goal and objective God has in view by administering the means of grace to them. “And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints … that we henceforth be no more children … but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the Head” (Eph 4:11-15). This is also to be observed in 1 Pet 2:2: “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” God will reach His goal and His Word will not return to Him void; thus God’s children will grow in grace.
Fourthly, it is a duty to which God’s children are continually exhorted, and their activity is to consist in a striving for growth. That it is their duty is to be observed in the following passages: “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Pet 3:18); “He that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still” (Rev 22:11). The nature of this activity is expressed as follows: “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after” (Phil 3:12). If it were not necessary for believers to grow, the exhortations to that end would be in vain.
Fifthly, this is also conveyed by the difference in believers in regard to their condition and the measure of grace. In the church there are children, young men, and fathers. “I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known Him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father” (1 John 2:13). It is in grace as it is in nature: first a child, then a young man, and after that a father. All this proves it to be a certainty that it is neither the mere duty nor that it would be merely a good thing for the godly to grow, but it is their nature. Thus, those who do not manifest any growth are not believers. Hereby the unconverted ought immediately to be convinced that as yet it is not well with them. Furthermore, this can, first of all, be of comfort to God’s children regarding the grace they possess, and they can already in the beginning be stirred up to strive for spiritual growth.