DEVELOPING HEALTHY SPIRITUAL GROWTH:
Knowledge, practice and experience
By Joel Beeke
EP Books. 144 pages. £6.99
ISBN 978 0 852 349 472
Joel Beeke takes and uses the prayer of the Apostle Paul in Colossians 1.9-14 to guide us through three essential areas of spiritual growth: knowledge, practice and experience. Originally the material was developed for ministers, but has now been adapted and made applicable for all believers.
Beeke’s definition of spiritual growth is: ‘the development of the believer’s faith life in learning to trust and honour God intellectually and experientially, shown through Christian living.’ He shares how spiritual growth is an absolute must in the life of every believer and something that we, like the Apostle Paul, should celebrate. He challenges the reader to pray for spiritual growth in both ourselves as individuals and in the church, and enlists the help of past and present writers to drive the message home.
The pattern of Christ
The author warns that defects in our knowledge of God will produce systematic errors in our faith, obedience and worship. He reminds us that our greatest spiritual growth in practice is to grow in the pattern of Christ and the second chapter is full of very clear and practical advice in this area.
Chapter 3 outlines the two vital areas of divine power and human gratitude in Christian experience. He asks whether we are willing to live in weakness to prove God’s strength and reminds us that gratitude is the heartbeat of growth.
Felt and enjoyed
As Robert Burns said: ‘Christianity should not only be known, and understood, and believed, but also felt, and enjoyed, and practically applied.’
The book will remind you of the rewards that growth in grace brings and will challenge you to aim ‘high, then higher’ like George Whitefield, who prayed: ‘O Lord make me an extraordinary Christian!’
