Growing in Grace
Growing in Grace
The Christian life is not only about coming to faith in Jesus Christ. It is also about growing in that faith over time.
As Methodists, we believe that God desires for his people to grow spiritually, to become mature in Christ, and to have their hearts and lives shaped by grace. We also believe that God has not left this growth to chance.
God has provided a reliable pattern for the Christian life—a way of living that keeps us open to his grace and allows us to grow in love for God and neighbor.
This is one of the reasons Methodists came to be called Methodists. The early leaders of the Wesleyan revival were known for their methodical way of helping Christians grow in grace. They emphasized two things in particular: the regular use of the means of grace and the importance of Christ-centered relationships.
Some people approach spiritual growth passively, hoping it will simply happen over time. Others think growth depends entirely on their own effort, discipline, and determination. God’s design is different from both.
Spiritual growth does require attentiveness and intention. But it is not something we produce by our own strength. Growth happens as we remain open to the grace of God, who alone can transform the human heart. The pattern of Christian discipleship does not create grace, but it does place us where grace is ordinarily given and received.
John Wesley spoke of certain practices as the “means of grace.” By this he meant the ordinary ways God has appointed for us to receive his grace and grow in faith.
These practices are not the goal of the Christian life. The goal is love: to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. The means of grace are the ordinary ways God forms us toward that goal.
Some of the most important include:
Public Worship
Prayer
Scripture Reading
Silence and Listening
Holy Communion
Baptism
Serving Others
Fasting
Giving
Confession
Sabbath and Rest
Celebration and Play
Christ-Centered Friendship and Fellowship
These are not ways of earning God’s favor. They are gifts God has given to help us remain open to his presence and transforming work.
The Christian life was never meant to be lived alone. In the book of Acts, the earliest Christians devoted themselves to worship, teaching, fellowship, prayer, and the breaking of bread together (see Acts 2).
For this reason, Methodists have always emphasized not only spiritual practices, but also spiritual friendships and small groups. We grow best in relationships where Christ is at the
center—relationships in which we pray for one another, encourage one another, and help one another remain faithful.
Growth in grace happens personally, but never merely privately.
As we seek to grow in grace, several truths matter: Spiritual practices are not magical. They have no power in themselves. It is God who works through them.
Spiritual practices do not save us. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Spiritual practices are not a checklist. Different seasons of life may call for different rhythms and emphases.
Spiritual practices can become empty if they are disconnected from a heart that truly seeks God.
Spiritual growth is often slower than we wish. We should not lose heart if growth seems gradual.
God is faithful, and many people give up just before a breakthrough.
Growing in grace means learning to live a life that is Spirit-led, Bible-based, and prayer-filled. It means seeking God in the ordinary practices of Christian life and in the shared life of the Church.
Methodism at its best is not about being different for the sake of being different. It is about being intentional in the pursuit of plain, scriptural Christianity. It is about using the ordinary means God has given so that our hearts may be renewed in love.
As we remain open to God’s grace, he shapes us more and more into the likeness of Christ.