As we think back over the year gone by, many of us are impressed by the remarkable growth—both physical and mental—exhibited by our little children or grandchildren in just one year’s time. But this, in turn, reminds us afresh that we older ones, too, are growing. Or at least we ought to be! It comes to our mind that we are often exhorted in the New Testament to grow, and that these exhortations are given not merely to babes in Christ but to all believers. Consequently, each of us is led to examine himself and to address the searching question to himself:“How much have I grown, spiritually, this past year?”
If we desired to witness an example of rapid physical growth, we would be advised to observe a well-nourished baby during the first few months of its life. And is it not likewise true that in order to manifest steady spiritual growth, we must become, in certain respects, like an infant? The apostle Peter exhorts, “Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby” (1 Pet. 2:12). This in no way contradicts the verses in 1 Corinthians and Hebrews that speak of our need to leave the milk and to go on to the solid food. The emphasis here is on our craving for the Word of God and on our state of soul while feeding upon that “milk of the Word.”
If we are to grow by the milk of the Word, we must come, in the consciousness of our own weakness, littleness, and ignorance, to receive food from the Word of God.
It is not the acquiring of a mere intellectual knowledge of the Word that will provide spiritual growth, but rather it is the laying hold of that grand Object presented in the Word, the One who is known as “The Word” and who is the full expression of that Word. “Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,” we are told (2 Pet. 3:18). How we need, each one of us, to learn the riches of His grace manifested in such varied and wondrous ways to His saints (see Ephesians 1). How we need to be found ever “increasing in the knowledge of God” (Col. 1:10); entering more fully into the glories, perfections, ways, and purposes of the Father and the Son; and having our affections drawn out and centered in Christ.
Is there any end to such growth? The apostle Paul gives us the answer:“Till we all come … unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Eph. 4:13). Which of us has attained it?
May there be a deep desire and prayerful longing in our hearts for the manifestation of steady spiritual growth, both for ourselves and for each of our brothers and sisters in Christ—until that blessed day comes when we shall be with Him and like Him and conformed to His image (1 John 3:2; Rom. 8:29).