Though you are thus graciously related to
Christ, bear in mind that you are only at the
beginning and not at the end of the Chris-
tian life. “I beseech you that you receive
not the grace of God in vain.”
A child is a human being when it is born,
but it has yet much to pass through before
it is a full-grown person. It may never
reach that point. It may destroy itself, or
be destroyed by others. Though you are a
Christian, you are only a “babe in Christ.”
The child born must also be nourished. The
“washing of regeneration” is only the be-
ginning, and must be followed by the “re-
newing of the Holy Ghost.” Having been
planted into Christ Jesus, you must now
grow in grace and in the knowledge of Him.