Growing in Grace

I Peter 2:2 “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that ye may grow by it,”

Intro: A coach once made a comment concerning professional football. All a player had to do to be a professional is 75% of what is expected of him but to be a champion he must master the other 25%. A passing grade isn’t enough---you must go above and beyond what is expected to grow spiritually.

Do not compare yourself with others. Paul didn’t.

1. Being better than someone else isn’t good enough—you must be better than you yourself are now.

   1. You limit yourself when compared with others. You become limited to what they are. Saying “all Christians are backsliders” though sounding quite wise is foolish, it subconsciously justifies your own failures.

   2. Your eyes settle on a person other than Christ

2. You are apt to brag on yourself --- giving yourself the benefit of a doubt – men are lovers of themselves.

It is important to be around those more mature than we are (keep good company)

1. Seeing examples is important

   1. You can’t see or define loyalty (at least most people can’t) but you know a loyal person when you see one

   2. We need to find people we would like to emulate or “copy” their good points spiritually

2. Stay in the right crowd. Demas forsook Paul – he ran with the world (II Tim. 4:10)

Your goal should not be – to be simply a better Christian

1. This invites selfishness --- you constantly think about yourself.

2. Jesus said we keep our life when we are willing to give it up. If we strive to save ourselves, we will lose it. Best Christian testimony is one given away.

3. We need to lose ourselves in others --- then we become a better Christian and thus our motive becomes pure when our concern is for others and not ourselves. 

Mature Christians are like Christ

1. They meet people on the person own level. Ex. They talk cars to mechanics, medicine to a doctor, babies to a mother, etc.  I Corinth. 9:22 “To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak; I am made all things to all men, that I might all means save some.” (I once led an electrical engineer to the Lord by learning and discussing electrical issues with him at first, then spiritual things, and finally about his salvation. Took several months of this approach)

2. You are responsible for your growth, not the preacher or others.

3. Mature Christians get lonely. Jesus became lonelier has He approached the mountain top. There are fewer people there you can talk to who will understand spiritual issues.

4. Mature Christians press for the prize of the high calling of Christ --- to be a soul winner!

Conclusion: Grow in grace. Drink the sincere milk of the Word of God. Someday you can lay at His feet a life of purest gold, a life that has grown in grace.