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  GROWTH IN GRACE
  by Thomas Brooks
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Summary: God uses trials to increase grace in His people's souls,
despite opposition from men and devils.

Topics: "Spiritual Growth", "Trials and Suffering"
Scripture References: James 1:2

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DESCRIPTION
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Thomas Brooks emphasizes that spiritual growth in grace often occurs
through divine methods that may initially seem to hinder rather than
help. He compares the necessity of winter for a fruitful harvest to the
role of fiery trials in enhancing grace within believers. Despite the
challenges and sufferings faced, these experiences ultimately transform
small sparks of grace into a powerful flame. Brooks reassures that no
external forces can prevent God from fostering holiness, humility, and
other virtues in His people. The message encourages believers to embrace
trials as a means of deepening their faith and character.

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CONTENT
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Commonly the Christian's spiritual growth in grace,

is carried on by such divine methods, and in such

ways as might seem to deaden grace, and weaken

it--rather than any ways to augment and increase it.

We know that winter is as necessary to bring on

harvest, as the spring; and so fiery trials are as

necessary to bring on the harvest of grace, as the

spring of mercy is. Though fiery trials are grievous;

yet they shall make the saints more gracious. God

usually, by sharp sufferings, turns His people's . . .

sparks of grace into a mighty flame;

their mites into millions;

their drops into seas.

All the devils in hell, and all the sinners on earth,

cannot hinder the Lord from carrying on the growth

of grace in His people's souls. When men and devils

have done their worst, God will, by all sorts of

providences, and all sorts of changes--make His

people more and more holy, and more and more

humble, and more and more meek and lowly, and

more and more heavenly, wise, faithful, fruitful,

sincere, courageous, etc.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/thomas-brooks/growth-in-grace/
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