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Chapter
1
Growing
is not only when a person experiences physical changes, but as Christians,
grow, especially in grace, is when people live in Jesus, live like Jesus, and
make Jesus as their reference. Jesus grew in grace of God perfectly. This
proves that Jesus is the only source of spiritual growth of Christians who have
opened the way to live according to Him.
Chapter
2
Jesus,
who is the source of man's spiritual growth, did lots of ways to be able to
grow in the grace of God. Jesus was always trying to grow with high living
discipline, obedience to God, learn from experience, and always live in the
fruits of the Spirit. Jesus also investigated the word of God in the Bible, be
with God in prayer, and also allied with humans who are the people of God.
Likewise, Christians will perfectly grow in grace if they live by imitating the
way of Jesus.
Chapter
3
The beginning of
the growth in wisdom and grace is the fear of God. Jesus grew in grace with the
fear of God. Spiritual growth will be
realized when the fear in the hearts of Christians are not the fear because
they think that humans are servant that had to be obedient to their master, but
rather the fear when the Christians themselves belongs to God and they must
hold their life as children of God.
Chapter
4
Christians who
want to grow in the grace of God must realize that growth will not be achieved
only by knowing that we belong to God, but growth will be achieved if there is
desire in our hearts to know Him more. The emergence of a desire on Him prove that
there is an awareness in our hearts that we have not fully know God and now we
are waiting for His grace and blessing to fulfill our satisfaction in growing
in grace.
Chapter
5
A
matter of life and death is a problem that we often associate with the physical
condition. Life and death is not a different way to grow in grace. Grow not
only when Jesus, who is the pioneer of our spiritual growth, still live in the
world. However, growth also implied by the cross although when Jesus died.
Follow Him in bearing the cross and denying ourselves become part of growing in
Jesus.
Chapter
6
Growing together
in grace not only maintain a relationship with God. Growing together is how we
can walk with others constantly be in the way of the Lord. In this case, God
bestows a gift for human beings to be shared with others, and not for personal
vanity. When we came out from the gift and talent that is given to us, we
automatically are in an insecure zone, where sin can affect us easily. Growing
together is the same as the body. If one part experience of disability, it will
greatly affect the other parts. So, when we grow and others do not, then the
fact the growth is not perfect. Growing together must be based on love and the
Word of God.
Chapter
7
We must realize
that grow together in communion causing many problems that need to be solved.
This is especially when we could not open our hearts to others. We should not
think that sin is a personal matter with God, but it is a problem that must be
solved together in communion. When we fail to open our hearts to others, then
we also fail to open our hearts to Christ, and this becomes a big obstacle to
grow in the grace of God.
Chapter
8
Growing
like Jesus means the fear of God. Fear of God is the most excellent base to
remain stable in His ways. Fear of God is determined to be willing to live in
God with all our heart. Living in God is to live by faith and not sight, and
live by high spiritual discipline and trust that God will give us the best.
Chapter
9
Growing
would be very difficult if there are doubts and no resolve to God. Sometimes we
are unable to differentiate between the words of God and man's opinion, then
that's when the failure will take part. However, failure is not the benchmark
of future growth. We must understand the meaning of the crucifixion and give
our hearts changed by the Word. When we understand that, then automatically we
will look bad experience as God's instrument to test the spiritual level that
would encourage us to find a foundation of faith to grow in Him.
Chapter
10
Growing
in grace means being able to overcome all the views that consider ourselves underprivileged. We must realize that failure
is not the end. God always provide help when we with all our heart ask Him.
Therefore, it needs a strong spiritual maturity to control ourselves from sin.
Grow regardless of age. Actually, growing is talking about a strong spiritual
power to receive God's grace.
Chapter
11
We must understand
that we actually did not grow in the grace of God if we have not regard Him as
a very important figure with all our heart. The perfect growth is growth in the
fear of God and longing for His presence.
Reflection
The book taught
me to understand that to grow spiritually in grace given by God is not just I
know Him. However, this book change my perspective that, actually grow in grace
means to grow by sacrificing everything I had to glorify the name of God. God
gives gifts and talents for me, but I realized that I often use God's gifts
only for my existence in society. Through my understanding of this book, the
fear of God is the best foundation in my life in order to be able to keep
remembering that everything I do will affect my growth in grace. I was also
taught to not waver and falter, but I have to believe that everything that I
needed God fulfilled if I am loyal and resilient in facing temptation that will
inhibit my growth in Him. Amen.