This should teach us to have compas- sion on converts and to be tender and loving with them (1 Thess. 2:7). When born again we belong to the family of God (Eph. 3:15). We have the nature of God (2 Pet. 1:4). The family stamp (Rom. 8:29), and are members of His body, flesh and bones (Eph. 5:30). He has provided the means for our growth: Food (1 Pet. 2:2; 1 Cor. 3:2). Water (Jno. 7:37; 4:10). Exercise (1 Tim. 4:8). The process of development (2 Pet. 1:5-8). Love. Brotherly kindness. Grow in Faith (2 Thess. 1:3). Grow in knowledge (Col. 3:12). Grow in self-culture (2 Cor. 9:8). Grow in temperance (1 Cor. 9:25). Grow in patience (Jas. 1:4). Grow in Godliness (1 Tim. 4:7). Grow in kindness (Rom. 12:10). Grow in love (2 Thess. 12:4-9-10). GTOW up into Jesus Christ (Eph. 4:5). To show forth His praise (1 Pet. 2-9). Commendation (Acts 20:36; Eph. 4: 13). GIVING. Giving gifts is a divine characteris- tic. God is a giver. Every good thing is from Him (Jas. 1:17). He gave His Son (Jno. 3:16), and with Him all things (Rom. 8:32). Thanks be unto God for His unspeak- able gifts (2 Cor. 9:15). We should seek to be godlike in our giving. Giving is a grace (2 Cor. 8:1-7). This grace should be cultivated (2 Cor. 9:5). The law of tithing (Deut. 14:22; Heb. 7:5). • The custom older than the Mosaic law (Gen. 14:20; Heb. 7:4). We are not under law but under grace, we ought therefore to give on a higher and larger plane than did the Jews, in as much as our mercies and blessings are greater than theirs (Deut. 28:5; Eph. 1:3). How We Should Give. Systematically. The first day of the week (1 Cor. 16:2). As he purposeth in his heart (2 Cor. 9:7). Godliness. Patience. Temperance. Knowledge. Faith.
* Cause of Backsliding. Failure to read and study the Word of God (Prov. 1:29; Jas. 1:21; 1 Pet. * 2:2). Failure to believe the Word of God i-v* (Prov. 1:30; 2 Tim. 4:3; 1 Pet. 2:8). Saul backslid through rejecting the Word (- Sam. 15U1-26). Failure to pray. Watch and pray J (1 Chron. 16:11; Matt. 26:41; Rom. 12: j 12; 1 Thess. 5:17; Jas. 4:2). Failure to be thankful (Psa. 9:1; " Psa. 35:9; Acts 2:26-27). Failure to surrender all to God (Eom. Ml 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 6:19). Failure to separate from the world (Col. 3:2; 2 Tim. 2:22; Titus 2:12). Solomon turned from God to idols (2 *f Kings 11:4). Failure to serve the Lord (Jno. 15:14; Acts.1:8; 1 Cor. 4:1-2). Failure to be loyal to Christ in times ot persecution (Prov. 14:14;'Matt. 26: 56-69-70). Failure to love the Lord better than ail else (Jno. 21:15). Demas loved the world and backslid (2 Tim. 4:10). Failure in listening to false teachers (Isa. 9:16; Jer. 50:6; 2 Cor. 11:3; Gal. 3:1-3). Cure for Backsliding. Confession of sin (Prov. 28:18; Jer. 3:12; 1 Jno. 1-9). Returning unto the Lord (Job 22:23; Acts 26:20; Isa. 1:18; Jas! 4:8-10). Decide to live for Christ (Josh. 24: 20; Phil. 1:21). Recognize your body as the temple of God (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Recognize the right of God to control you and enter into the joy of a sur- rendered victorious life. The best illustration of the return of the backslider is found in the Prodigal, The picture of the father is the real attitude of our Father toward every backslider. CHRISTIAN GROWTH. The Christian has a life from God. He has been born of incorruptible seed (1 Pet. 1:23) and translated into the Kingdom of God (Col. 1:14). This new life is eternal but it is so condi- tioned that it must be sustained and developed as is the life of the body. The similies of birth, growth and development are parallel to our life in the flesh. This growth is natural, prac- tical, and should be normal. We are first viewed as babes 1 (Pet. 2:2. . t ^ Luke 15:17-24. l *
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