Edification

Of this word W.E.Vine says it “denotes the act of building,” and “is used only figuratively in the N.T., in the sense of edification, the promotion of spiritual growth.” This holds true whether we speak of the individual or of a local church.

In view of the obvious fact that a congregation grows exactly in proportion to the growth of its individual members, this subject becomes all the more important. We shall divide what we have to say into three parts: (1) Some things in which we should grow, (2) Some things that hinder spiritual growth, (3) Some things that will help spiritual growth.

Some Things In Which We
Should Grow
Grace and Knowledge. Peter said, “But grow in the grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18). “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord” (1:2). “For if they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning” (2:20).

Growing in “grace” would include growing in those traits which brings God’s favor upon us; we demonstrate these traits toward both God and man. “Knowledge” is not a gift for any of us; we acquire knowledge for ourselves. God will not dump any idle head full of facts. Further, we can recognize that this growth really has no end; it continues on and on!

Christlikeness. “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Eph. 4:15). “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5). “. . . Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps” (1 Pet. 2:21). Can anyone miss the point, that obeying these passages will make us more and more like Christ, our example?

Growth in this area is, also, a continual process. We must learn to work on our thinking, our attitudes, our determination, our dedication. Christ never misled anybody. He never preached a false doctrine. He never left unsaid anything that needed to be said. He never said or did anything that would hinder a sinner’s salvation. We must learn to be like him!

Judgment. “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment” (Phil. 1:9). The word “judgment” is used in the sense of perception or discernment (discernment, R.V.). The Hebrew writer says, “For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Heb. 5:13-14).

From these Scriptures it is obvious that we can and must grow in this area if we are to fulfil our obligations as children of God. We do this that we “may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ” (Phil. 1:10).

Christian Character. This has to do with our personal life; and there are many Scriptures which apply, i.e., Romans 1:18-32, Galatians 5:19-21, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, etc.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 offers a worthy comment along this line. Verse 11 assigns three duties, while verse 12 gives the reason for these duties, “So that you may command respect of outsiders, and be dependent on nobody” (RSV). Indeed!

In Spiritual Sacrifices. One statement from Peter will suffice on this point; “Ye . . . are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 2:5). The reader should notice that these sacrifices are to be “acceptable to God.” This would include, but not be limited to, our worship.

The dry and almost meaningless way many services are conducted gives ample proof of the need to grow in this area. There is no reason why the “great salvation” should be presented as if we were reading from a catalog and no reason for a congregation to appear to be a bunch of robots whose conformity buttons have been activated. However, let us be warned that carnal sacrifices are of men, while spiritual sacrifices are of God. Yes, we need to grow in this area.

Faith And Love. Paul thanked God for some brethren, “because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth” (2 Thess. 1:3). What a compliment! Love can be known only by the action it prompts. The world is given the right to judge us on the basis of our love for one another (John 13:35).
The new convert is the special target of the devil. Perhaps there is no area of greater need than that we give the new converts the encouragement and assistance which they need. In doing this we “bear (ye) one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2). Our faith grows in proportion to our obedience to the instructions of the Lord. Can we grow in this area?

Ability to Serve. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Rom. 12:1). We are not to yield the members of our bodies as instruments of sin, but instruments of         righteousness (Rom. 6:13). Knowledge, which we have already noticed, is so essential; but knowledge is of no greater importance than our ability to use that knowledge. We all need to grow here!

Some Things That
Hinder Growth
Love of Money. Such love is the root of all evil (1 Tim. 6:10). There are many ways in which this shows itself. So many people are so caught up in the process of making money, getting gain, that they cannot be depended upon in the services of the Lord. Do you know anyone that is like that?

Neglect or Indifference. “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation” (Heb. 2:3). “Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead” (Eph. 5:14). When shall we ever learn the right priorities (Matt. 6:33)?

Youthful Lusts. “Flee youthful lusts” (2 Tim. 2:22). Job said of the hypocrite, “His bones are full of the sin of his youth” (Job 20:11). Lusts lead to sin and death (Jas. 1:14-15). Lusts come from the heart and a heart cannot be pure and be governed by youthful lusts. How can one who is guilty of this lead others out of it? Talk about the blind leading the blind!
Foolish and Ignorant Questions. 2 Timothy 2:23 says for us to “avoid” such and then Paul tells us why, “they do gender strife.” So many times the harmony and peace of local churches are disturbed by speculating brethren who will not leave the foolish and ignorant questions alone.

Dull of Hearing. “Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing” (Heb. 5:11). Some synonyms of “dull” are: slow, sluggish, indolent. The writer, in this text, is drawing a contrast between what they could have been with what they were at the time. Verse 12 says, “(ye) are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.” Notice that word “become.” They had been better but had degenerated. This will slowly and eventually destroy the growth of both the student and the teacher.

Negative Attitudes. “Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speaking” (1 Pet. 2:1). This instruction is given in view of the new birth of chapter 1:23. These evils have no place in the heart or life of the Christian. Malice, among other things, is that of a vicious character. Guile, simply put, is deceit. Of course hypocrisy is a pretence and James 3:17 says that such is no part of the wisdom which comes from above. Yes, these things will hinder growth.

Some Things That Will Help Spiritual Growth
Right Appetite. “. . . desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Pet. 2:2). When we get full of candy, we have little appetite for steak. Yes, and when our heart is full of the things of this world, we have little appetite for the things of God. Better take a look at your desires!

Proper Exercise. “But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness” (1 Tim. 4:7). In Hebrews 5:14, the senses were to be exercised to recognize good and evil. Now read 1 Thessa­ lonians 5:21-22, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.” Did you ever try to cook a meal by using only the pilot light on your stove?  Exercise develops assurance, confidence, and trains one in self-discipline and this is badly needed.

Heeding What We Hear. “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip” (Heb. 2:1). Lay out of school for a while and when one returns he is “rusty,”  has forgotten some of the facts and techniques he earlier learned. Hear it, believe it, put it to practice, and keep on with the practice, then you will be giving heed to what you hear. Giving heed to what you have heard can, also, keep you from having a “seared” conscience.

The Right Spiritual Diet. “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). When we are invited to come to dinner, what does this word “dinner” include (in our mind)? Does not this word include all that has been prepared to be consumed at that meal? Likewise, the words of Jesus Christ sum up all of the Christian’s spiritual diet. Now, did you ever try to mix your meal with hog’s slop and eat it? Neither can your spiritual diet be mixed with worldly things.

Purity of Mind and Heart. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23). Did not some one say, “As a man thinketh in his heart so is he”? Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” Then, we are told by Paul, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5).

Conclusion
Your list might be longer in any of these areas, but surely it could not include less than these. This is what edification is all about — growth! If we wish to build up the church, our first job must be to build up ourselves. We must get rid of those things that hinder our growth, and cultivate those things that will help us. We grow or die!

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