The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1942-10-15
Sunday School
Lesson In Brief
By REV. B. A. MEEKS

Subject: Growth in Christ.
Bible Passage: Luke 2:4O, 81;
II Peter lib.
Golden Text: Grow in grace,
and in knowledge of our Lord and
Saviour, Jesus Christ III Peter
3:18.
We come now to the third step
in our study of the Christian life.
The two preceding studies might
be called the foundation for our
present lesson on Christian
growth. Growth is an essential
principle in the Christian life.
This is shown very definitely in
the statements of Scripture con-
corning the Master when it is
said, "And Jesus increased in wis
dom and stature, and in favour
with God and man.. Even
though we cannot enter into the
mysteries of the unique personali-
ty and development of Jesus from
childhood the Bible clearly re-
veals a four-fold deveopment.
We see Jesus under the guiding
hand of the Almighty developing
physically, mentally, socially and
spiritually. Not only is this prin-
ciple established by the life
and example of Jesus, but is
taught by precepts, exhortations,
the general tone and and expecta-
tons of Scripture.
AS our attention is called to this
essential Christian principle of
growth in Christ most can not
help but realize that there is
plenty of room for Improvement
in our own lives. If this lesson
finds it's mark as it is intended
that it should, a great many of
us will be Inundated as we real
ize how nearly we have remained
mere babes in Christ. Would not
we get the shock of our lives if
the souls of people around us
should suddenly be revealed in
all their littleness. May we
come a little closer home? How
many of us would feel comforta-
BILE if our inner most soul was O.
pened to the public gaze? Would
neighbors be as happy and COM
Portable in each others presence
if the lean, impoverished souls
were as clearly seen as the tilted
nose of the proud?
Christian growth is necessary
if we are to even maintain our
acquired level of Christian at
tainment. There is no such thing
as standing still in things spirit
ual. Everything having life be-
gins to die the very moment it
ceases to grow. This is the law
of nature in the realm of both an
imal and plant life. The writer
is convinced that this law holds
good in the spiritual realm. When
the Individual ceases to grow in
grace and in1 the knowledge of
the Lord Jesus Christ, his faith
in God begins to weaken. his
zeal to lag, and the whole Christ
ian life is marked by growth in
difference. Our usefulness as
Christians and the advancement
of the Kingdom of God are alike
measured by growth in grace and
spiritual understanding.
Christian growth is possible for
every Christian. Some may grow
more and faster than others, but
all can and will grow. 1t may be
we'll to emphasize the fact, that
one must first be in grace before
there can be any growth in grace.
Having become a Christian by
faith in Christ as our personal
Saviour, we are ready for growth
in grace, and in the knowledge of
the Lord Jesus. Gods provision
for growth in Christ is all suffi-
cient. He has given Christ to
take away (bear) the sin of the
whole world, the sacred Script
ures to teach us, the Holy Spirit
to enlighten, empower and guide,
and the church for worship and
communion. In addition thereto,
God has richly endowed every
Christian with the necessary