[October 29th, 1854.]
I. Use of the word grace in the Scriptures.
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An inward disposition.
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Any favor, especially divine influence.
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The inward effects of that influence, the Christian graces. These are gifts of the Holy Ghost. They are the fruits of a renewed heart, the abiding principle of spiritual life, which itself is grace, a gift.
II. What is the growth of grace?
It is another form of expressing the idea of the increase in the power of religion in the soul. It is an increase at once of the principle itself and of all its manifestations, e.g., Faith, Love, Submission, Patience, Meekness, Zeal, Diligence, etc.
With this is connected increase in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, i.e., of Christ as our Lord and our Saviour.
III. What is it to know Christ as our Lord?
Knowledge is speculative and experimental.
Both forms of knowledge must be united. The object of this knowledge is Christ, as Lord and as Saviour.
As Lord, it includes his divinity and his incarnation, as it is the Theanthropos whom we recognize as Lord.
Increase in this knowledge includes,
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Clearer apprehension of his glory.
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Of his exaltation and dominion.
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Increase in the inward feelings belonging to the relation which we bear to him as Lord, who rules in us, reigns over us, and subdues all his and our enemies.
IV. What is it to know Christ as our Saviour? It includes, 1. Knowledge of what he does for us in this character. 2. Inward experience of his saving work on our own souls.
V. Means of growth in Grace. The necessary conditions of all growth are light, food and exercise.
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Light and warmth. This is, so far as spiritual life is concerned, the favor of God, the assurance of it, the experience of it. We must bring our souls under the influence of the love of God. The more this is done the more life shall we have. It must be in the way the gospel prescribes. The assurance must be evangelical. If unfounded, it will promote only evil.
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The food of the soul is truth.
a. This must be pure, i.e., scriptural.
b. It must be daily received.
c. It must be appropriated, and applied.
- The exercise of grace. This includes, a. All acts of worship. b. All exercises of faith and love, etc. c. All outward duties performed in obedience to God and to promote his cause.
VI. Evidence of growth in grace, is
- Not fervor of feeling. 2. Nor enjoyment. 3. But increase in, a. Our acquiescence in the truth. b. In our conformity to Christ. c. In our power to resist sin and to do and to bear the will of God.
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