2. ITS CHIEF CHARACTERISTIC
(Continued from page 189)
"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 3:18).
In a former article we have spoken of the low state of Personal Religion and the causes, of it. We assume that our readers have a more or less correct idea of it, but let us consider it in a practical way.
What has been said already will show that personal religion is something more than religious emotions or good impressions on the mind of the individual, which too often terminate with little or no abiding results. The positive characteristic of personal religion is spiritual growth-growth "unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." And to say that it is characterized by growth is only to say that the person is spiritually alive. Growth is the sure sign of life in both the vegetable and animal kingdoms. If a vine branch does not put forth leaves and blossoms, and bear fruit, we say it is a dead branch-the sap of the vine is not circulating through it. So with human life. The infant life increases in strength and stature, gradually developing into the definite form and character which is to characterize it through life. In like manner the spiritual man is to grow and develop to full maturity of likeness to Christ.
Nature, as we know, is everywhere a parable of the spiritual. Natural things form the basis of those beautiful illustrations which are called the "parables" of our Lord. Thus Nature furnishes important parables of religious truths. As organic life manifests itself by natural growth, so does spiritual life manifest itself by growth in grace and the knowledge of the Lord. Spiritual impulses and emotions are not growth, though they may indicate, and proceed from, spiritual life. I ask, then, Is your religion one of growth ? Does it wax stronger against temptations ? Is it more steadfast in faith, more constant and fervent in prayer, more bent on subduing the tendencies of the natural will as the years roll on ? Are your views of God and of Christ gradually enlarging and growing more precious, while more humbling to yourself ? Or is your soul only stirred by passing emotions-like Bethesda's pool stirred at some peculiar times, or is it as "a well of water springing up into everlasting life ?"
My reader, it behooves us to be very careful and sincere in our answer to such questions. They are for the heart and conscience to answer. Is my heart's religion a growing one ? Mark the point, I pray you. It is not whether I have very lively feelings, very warm emotions (these are often constitutional, dependent on physical temperament), but whether I am growing. Nor is it whether I am satisfied with my own life, or think I have reached my ideals-no, not this; but simply-Am I growing?-" growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." .This word, faithfully applied, will reveal to us our state.
But some reader may ask, Can growth yet be consistent with relapses and backslidings ? – of which he is only too conscious. With some assurance I answer, Yes, if it be of infirmity, not of will. Though bruised and weeping, give your hand again to the Lord Jesus; heartily consent to His guidance and humbly trust in His grace. I would not for a moment excuse sin, but at the same time God's people should be instructed that He sometimes brings out of relapses or falls, a burst of penitence, of self-abasement, and ardent desire, as in the case of St. Peter, which gives the soul a powerful forward impulse. Peter had denied Christ in a moment of weakness, or rather, forgot his weakness and exposed himself to the adversary; but he turns from his denial at once when his Master's look recalled him to himself, and weeps bitterly over his fall. Soon after we find that he has grown in grace. We see him throwing himself in the water and wading ashore to meet his Lord-a mute but touching way of saying that his trust in, and affection for, his Lord were deeper than ever.
As an illustration of progress, behold the movement of the in-coming tide. The water will cover that flat, dry beach in two or three hours' time. Yet it is not a progress without some setbacks. Each wave is indeed gaining ground, though wavelets fall back after splashing upon the shore. The great question is whether the heart's purpose is to go on with the Lord, that He may renew our strength and joy in Him.
Again, let us remember (lest any whom the Lord hath not made sad should be disheartened) that real growth is ever slow. We do not see plants growing, but take notice that they have grown. Yet growth is not dormant, but an active state. There is no growth in mere spiritual routine, or in the adoption of low standards. To be pleasing to the Lord must be our object, with watchfulness and prayer, considering our ways.
Let us remark, in closing, that if we are not growing, the only alternative is that we are falling back-sad and serious truth! Neither in spirit nor in the body is there a stand still or neutral state. Of every one of us it may be said that he is either rising or falling in his spiritual condition. We are either under the influences of the Spirit of God or under those of the world and the natural mind. One or other of these influences is operating in each one of us. If there be no spiritual growth there must decay – the encroachments of worldliness and sin. Our conversations, our thoughts as we pass along to our daily work, our spirit in the transaction of business, all tend more or less remotely to form our character. Let us look to it, then, that our purpose at least is for the better. If it has been otherwise, let there be, at this very hour, a turning to the Lord who is ready to pardon, whose grace is able to keep and restore to newness of life.
(To be continued.)