The words of James must never be
forgotten: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and
comes down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17). This is no doubt as
true of growth in grace, as it is of everything else. It is the “gift of
God.” But still it must always be kept in mind that God is pleased to
work by means. God has ordained means as well as ends. He that would
grow in grace must use the means of growth.
This
is a point, I fear, which is too much overlooked by believers. Many
admire growth in grace in others and wish that they themselves were like
them. But they seem to suppose that those who grow are what they are by
some special gift or grant from God and that, as this gift is not
bestowed on themselves, they must be content to sit still. This is a
grievous delusion and one against which I desire to testify with all my
might. I wish it to be distinctly understood that growth in grace is
bound up with the use of means within the reach of all believers and
that, as a general rule, growing souls are what they are because they
use these means. Continue at Eric T. Young
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