tion of the dead. And of eternal judg ment” (Heb. 6:1, 2). Now the writer of the Hebrews is not critical of these things in them selves, for they constitute the very foundation upon which the Christian is to build. But rather, he is asking WHY there is no progress beyond the essentials of the new birth. They had not grown in grace, neither had they matured spiritually! We do not seem to realize how it must grieve the heart of God when one of His children re mains a spiritual babe throughout its entire life and never develops beyond the stage of spiritual infancy. The Word of God is quite clear on the necessity of spiritual growth and development in the life of the believer. But remember, God never requires something of us without also providing the enablement with which to do it. There are, at least, four specific means by which this growth can be accom plished. Let us suggest them to you. First, and perhaps most important, is that of daily Bible reading. We cannot possibly grow spiritually without a daily and consistent feeding upon His Word. The Psalmist says, “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day” (Psa. 119:97). In his heart he asks “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?” Immediately he gives the answer, “by taking heed thereto according to thy Word” (Psalm 119:9). To the Psalmist the Word of God was the rule of life for he says, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119: 105). A second means by which we grow spiritually, is that of prayer. When we read God’s Word He speaks to us. When we pray we speak to Him. Paul writes to “ Pray without ceasing” (I Thess. 5:17). To the Philippian Chris tians he said, “ . . . but in everything by prayer . . . with thanksgiving let your requests be made unto God” (Phil. 4:6). The Christian’s hope for growth lies in constant contact with God— Prayer! A third means of growth and devel opment is that of spiritual exercise.
There is a law of nature which decrees that when we fail to use a part of the human body over a long period of time, the muscles and tissues atrophy or waste away. So in the spiritual realm— the believer who does not regularly engage in some type of Christian serv ice or worship, will grow weaker spir itually. The Apostle Paul exhorts Timothy to “ . . . exercise thyself . . . unto godliness.” In contrasting spirit ual exercise with that which is physi cal, Paul adds, “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profit able unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (I Tim. 4:7, 8). In view of these Biblical injunctions, and in view of the fact that the Bible likens our spiritual growth to the physical — it is therefore imperative that we exercise ourselves constantly in the work of the Lord. The fourth and last means is that of Christian discipline. The Apostle Paul warned the believers at Rome that they should “Be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds . . .” (Romans 12:2). The Christian must constantly discipline himself and see to it that he does not allow the things of the world to weaken and eventually defeat him. The Apostle Paul was familiar with the emphasis which both the Romans and Greeks placed on the care of the physical body. One of the Greek writers of the classical period proffers this advice to Greek athletes: . . give thyself to the training master as to a physician, and then enter the race.” Pauls says, “ .. . Now they do it to ob tain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible” (I Cor. 9:25b). If we hope to grow and develop prop erly as believers, then we must be will ing to impose upon ourselves this kind of discipline. If we will employ these four means: daily reading of the Word, prayer, spiritual exercise, and Chris tian discipline, the Holy Spirit will find in each of us a fertile field for fruit bearing, and the normal thing in our lives will be strong, spiritual growth and development. 27
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