Bulletin Articles: Full Article for Record Number 1064
"If You Ain’t Growing, You Ain’t Going!"
by Larry Ray Hafley
"If you ain’t growing, you ain’t going," to heaven, that is! Growth is a signal feature of every figure of speech related to Christians. Children, disciples, members, branches-all are expected to grow, to prosper, to bear fruit, to be built up, to improve, to increase, to learn, and to do more. "That we henceforth be no more children...But speaking the truth in love may grow up into him in all things" (Eph. 4:14, 15). "We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren...because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth" (2 Thess. 1:3). "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." (2 Pet. 3:18).
Stagnant water soon becomes impure. It becomes unfit to drink. It breeds corruption. As such, it is of no use or benefit to the best of nature. Is it not so among the true children of God? You know it is. Consider those who are inactive and who never seem to grow. What spiritual benefit are they? What service to they render to the body? Does their citizenship in the kingdom build it up? Does their membership in the vine increase its fruit? You know it does not.
What does the Lord do with unprofitable servants, with those who never progress? "And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkeness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matt. 25:30). "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Cor. 15:58). Remember, "If you ain’t growing, you ain’t going!"
