Conditions of Christian Growth

[Thompson, Darryl]

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Ellen G. White Estate, Devotional for August 24  
Visit us at http://www.whiteestate.org
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Conditions of Christian Growth

And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in
knowledge and in all judgment; . . . being filled with the fruits of
righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of
God. Phil. 1:9-11.

Where there is life, there will be growth and fruit-bearing; but unless
we grow in grace, our spirituality will be dwarfed, sickly, fruitless.
It is only by growing, by bearing fruit, that we can fulfill God's
purpose for us. "Herein is my Father glorified," Christ said, "that ye
bear much fruit" (John 15:8). In order to bear much fruit, we must make
the most of our privileges. We must use every opportunity granted us for
obtaining strength.

A pure, noble character, with all its grand possibilities, has been
provided for every human being. But there are many who have not an
earnest longing for such a character. They are not willing to part with
the evil that they may have the good. . . . They neglect to grasp the
blessings that would place them in harmony with God. . . . They cannot
grow.

One of the divine plans for growth is impartation. The Christian is to
gain strength by strengthening others. "He that watereth shall be
watered also himself" (Prov. 11:25). This is not merely a promise; it is
a divine law, a law by which God designs that the streams of
benevolence, like the waters of the great deep, shall be kept in
constant circulation, continually flowing back to their source. In the
fulfilling of this law is the secret of spiritual growth. . . . 

If we come to God in faith, He will receive us and give us strength to
climb upward to perfection. If we watch every word and action, that we
may do nothing to dishonor the One who has trusted us, if we improve
every opportunity granted us, we shall grow into the full stature of men
and women in Christ. . . . 

Christians, is Christ revealed in us? Are we doing all in our power to
gain a body that is not easily enfeebled, a mind that looks beyond self
to the cause and effect of every movement, that can wrestle with hard
problems and conquer them, a will that is firm to resist evil and defend
the right? Are we crucifying self? Are we growing up into the full
stature of men and women in Christ, preparing to endure hardness as good
soldiers of the cross?

>From Devotional: Our Father Cares, pp. 217, 218.