“For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17).

Steady advancement in the Christian life is a sure sign of true salvation. The Bible constantly instructs us to “go on unto perfection” (Hebrews 6:1). We should press on in the following areas: “From faith to faith” (Romans 1:17). The whole process of salvation is begun by faith and is to continue by faith. “If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel” (Colossians 1:23). “From strength to strength” (Psalm 84:7). Many times the Christian passes “through the valley of Baca” (Psalm 84:6); that is, the valley of weeping. Yet he can go from strength to strength. The thought is, ever stronger, never fainting. Also, the promise is that we go THROUGH the valley of tears. We do not stay there forever. “From glory to glory” (II Corinthians 3:18). The work of transforming us into the image of Christ is a glorious work accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is because of this excellent work of the Spirit that we can go from one degree of splendor to another. “Grace for grace” (John 1:16). Here we see the law of displacement and replacement in action. Yesterday’s grace is displaced and replaced with fresh grace for today. Whatever the trial, God supplies us with one grace after another, and His grace is sufficient for us (II Corinthians 12:9). “The savor of death unto death; and . . . life unto life” (II Corinthians 2:16). To be a savor of Christ is an awesome privilege. We can be a fatal odor, the smell of doom, or a vital fragrance, living and fresh. We wonder with Paul, “And who is sufficient for these things?” NPS