Reading 2 – Sabbath, December 5, 2020
Growing in Faith
By Y. Delgado, Peru / USA
My dear brothers and sisters in the faith, let’s tackle together this interesting subject about the growth in faith, considering the need for a transformative experience in His likeness. It is my prayer that the name of God may be glorified and let us be built up by His word. Taking as the only cause and purpose of our growth in faith, the participation of the“atmosphere of grace [is] as real as the air that circulates around the globe. All who choose to breathe this life-giving atmosphere will live and grow up to the stature of men and women in Christ Jesus.” —Steps to Christ, p. 68.
The next thing to consider is our experience of growth in faith “following the truth in love, let’s grow in everything in the one who is the head, that is, Christ.” Ephesians 4:15.
The Cause of Our Growth
Because plant development parallels a Christian’s growth in faith, let us examine the illustration of the seed recorded in Mark 4:26- 29, as well as the parable of the vine and its branches in John 15.
Spiritual growth is not the result of human virtue. That’s why Jesus said of the man who sowed the seed: “And [he] should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.” Mark 4:27. Both our spiritual life and plant life grow with power from the same source. “The plants and flowers grow not by their own care or anxiety or effort, but by receiving that which God has furnished to minister to their life.…
In the illustration of John 15:5, we learn that the vital force is not contained in the branches, but in the vine. For this reason, the branches must maintain a constant connection to the vine in order to receive the life-giving nutrients which the vine shares freely. In the same manner, a close relationship with God is vital for spiritual growth. He must remain in us and we in Him. This is not an arbitrary instruction, but a life-or-death necessity.
To corroborate what was expressed we highlight the following: “Separation from Christ involves a ruin as complete as that represented by the dead branch. ‘If a man abide not in Me,’ said Christ, ‘he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.’” —The Desire of Ages, p. 676.
Belonging to the church does not ensure growth in faith, because membership is only an outward union. “There may be an apparent connection with Christ without a real union with Him by faith. A profession of religion places men in the church, but the character and conduct show whether they are in connection with Christ.” —The Desire of Ages, p. 676. Only the vital connection is what will provide us with a growth in grace, leading our spiritual progress, and a constant abiding in the faith.
Vital Connection that Ensures Growth
“Abide in me, and my words [will] abide in you.” John 15:7. This expression of our Saviour Jesus Christ provides us with the key whereby we may maintain a vital connection with Him. When we finally understand that the cause of our growth in faith comes from abiding in Christ and He in us then we can learn how to maintain this life-giving connection.
The vital connection consists of “know more and more of Jesus through an interested searching of the Scriptures, and then following the ways of truth and righteousness therein revealed. Those who are ever growing in grace will be steadfast in the faith, and moving forward.” —Messages to Young People, p. 121.
“The knowledge of God as revealed in Christ is the knowledge that all who are saved must have…. Received into the life, it will re-create the soul in the image of Christ. This is the knowledge that God invites His children to receive.” —The Acts of the Apostles, p. 475. This is the secret of the vital connection, of knowing God through His Word. “Abide in me, and I in you.” John 15:4. “The connection of the branch with the vine, He said, represents the relation you are to sustain to Me.” —The Desire of Ages, p. 675.
“Christ came to the earth to reveal to men the character of His Father, and His life was filled with deeds of divine tenderness and compassion.”— Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 469. “By dwelling upon the love of God and our Saviour, by contemplating the perfection of the divine character and claiming the righteousness of Christ as ours by faith, we are to be transformed into the same image.” —Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 744.
Continuing our connection with God requires careful, daily searching of His Word, elevating the soul to God through sincere prayer, and appropriating the justice of Christ by faith.
Confirmation of Our Growth in Faith
“For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.” Mark 4:28. Reveals the secret of our progress in faith, and at the same time the irrefutable proof that allows us to confirm whether we are truly growing in faith.
To experience growth in faith, we need to follow the inspired instruction to “Ask the Lord to reveal to you yourself; place your life under His searching eye, and when He lays hold upon your case you will see that you have made grievous mistakes, and what you supposed was of little importance was offensive in the sight of Heaven.” —That I May Know Him, p. 237. “Go to Him with your oul all stained as it is. Like the psalmist, throw its chambers open to the all-seeing eye, exclaiming, ‘Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.’ Psalms 139:23, 24.” —Steps to Christ, p. 34.
“The life of the vine will be manifest in fragrant fruit on the branches. ‘He that abideth in Me,’ said Jesus, ‘and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.’ When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing.” —The Desire of Ages, p. 676. The result of growth is fruit. “The work of sanctification goes on in the soul, constantly progressing and enlarging.” —Ye Shall Receive Power, p. 34.
“There is in the religious world a theory of sanctification which is false in itself and dangerous in its influence. In many cases those who profess sanctification do not possess the genuine article. Their sanctification consists in talk and will worship. Those who are really seeking to perfect Christian character will never indulge the thought that they are sinless. Their lives may be irreproachable, they may be living representatives of the truth which they have accepted; but the more they discipline their minds to dwell upon the character of Christ, and the nearer they approach to His divine image, the more clearly will they discern its spotless perfection, and the more deeply will they feel their own defects.” —The Sanctified Life, p. 7.
The irrefutable proof of our growth in faith is the transformation and improvement of our characters. “The power of the love of Christ [will work] … a transformation of character. This is the sure result of union with Jesus. When Christ abides in the heart, the whole nature is transformed. Christ’s Spirit, His love, softens the heart, subdues the soul, and raises the thoughts and desires toward God and heaven.” —Steps to Christ, p. 73.
“In every generation and in every land the true foundation for character building has been the same—the principles contained in the word of God. The only safe and sure rule is to do what God says. ‘The statutes of the Lord are right,’ and ‘he that doeth these things shall never be moved.’ Psalms 19:8; 15:5.” —The Acts of the Apostles, p. 475.
The only foundation that provides for a proper construction of our characters and continuous growth in faith is obedience to the Word of God.
Conclusion
In this world, occupations and responsibilities may differ, but the focus is the same. Everyone wants to see growth. A mother prays for her children to grow up well and become established in good professions. The entrepreneur or investor’s concern is for their product or service to exhibit a positive growth curve.
“The soul dead in trespasses and sins receives life through connection with Christ. By faith in Him as a personal Saviour the union is formed. The sinner unites his weakness to Christ’s strength, his emptiness to Christ’s fullness, his frailty to Christ’s enduring might. Then he has the mind of Christ. The humanity of Christ has touched our humanity, and our humanity has touched divinity. Thus through the agency of the Holy Spirit man becomes a partaker of the divine nature.” —The Desire of Ages, p. 675.
Brother and sister, beloved in the Lord Jesus Christ, I take my leave. Considering the time in which we live, I invite you to make a decision to grow in faith through the knowledge of God and His character. The inspired admonition tells us this: “Unless you are advancing in the knowledge and love of God, you cannot maintain even the light that you now have. If the light does not shine more and more, it will grow dim and flicker away in darkness.” —Daughters of God, p. 136. Amen.