Spiritual Growth: Growth in Grace, or Christian Progress

When someone becomes a disciple of Christ their most important concern in life becomes,"how may I please and honour the Lord who has saved me?" How can someone assess their spiritual progress and what means has God ordained for their spiritual maturation? As in all of his books,A.W.Pink has many keen insights on this Biblical subject. For example,on p.116,he writes perceptively,"It is strange that so many other writers on this subject have failed to place first among the means of spiritual growth this work of mortifying the flesh,for it should be quite obvious that it must take precedence over everything else,of what avail can it be to read and study the Word,to spend more time in prayer,to seek to develop my graces while I ignore and neglect that within me which will neutralize and mar all other efforts."Pink is extremely helpful in exhorting those who desire to grow spiritually to make diligent use of the means that God has provided for that end. Meditating on the Word of God is an important component of spiritual growth which has often been overlooked. Mr.Pink has this helpful comment on p.129,"If we would read the Scriptures to advantage,if our souls are to be nurtured by them,if we are to make true Christian progress,then it must be by earnest prayer and constant meditation. It is only by pondering the Words of God that they become fixed in our minds and exert a salutary influence upon our thoughts and actions. Things forgotten have no power to regulate us,and Scripture is soon forgotten unless it be turned over and over in the mind." The books that Pink has written on Christian living will be of enourmous help in producing holiness in the heart and life. I believe that a more helpful and comprehensive book on Christian growth would be very difficult to find.