SPIRITUAL GROWTH

SPIRITUAL GROWTH

An internet definition of growth is a “positive change in size, and/or maturation, often over a period of time” (Wikipedia). Growth is one of many inevitable human processes, it is a positive change over a period of time. That means for there to be growth there has to be a positive change and growth is not instant, it happens over time. Another word synonymous with growth is maturity; to fully develop. Therefore, spiritual growth basically means a positive development or change in your walk with God that happens over time.

When we become born-again, we are babies of the gospel who need the word of God as milk “………like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation” 1 Peter 2:2 AMP; and then we should go on to desire meat (and finally chew on bones). “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.” Hebrews  5:14  KJV

This cannot happen unless we grow spiritually and if we never grow that fire inside us will lose its flame. If the fire within does not burn we will never reach our full potential and we may remain stagnant and dormant.

So why do we need to grow spiritually?

To fulfil the word of God

To be a light unto the world 

To reach our full potential as Christians

First, in order for us to fulfil the word of God, hear what Paul tells us;

“So come on, let’s leave the preschool finger-painting exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art. Grow up in Christ. The basic foundational truths are in place: turning your back on “salvation by self-help” and turning in trust toward God; baptismal instructions; laying on of hands; resurrection of the dead; eternal judgment. God helping us, we’ll stay true to all that. But there’s so much more. Let’s get on with it!” Hebrews 6:1-3 The Message (MSG)

This shows us that there is so much to do, we need to get on with it. We need to leave the finger-painting and move on to trusting God completely, baptism, laying of hands, resurrection of the dead and so much more. God has so much more for us to do, we just need to grow so we can fulfil the word of God and his promises and become that masterpiece.

Secondly we need to be a light unto the world, we need to let the world see Christ reflected in our lives.

“But Saul increased in strength more and more, and continued to perplex the Jews who lived in Damascus by examining [theological evidence] and proving [with Scripture] that this Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).” Acts 9:22  Amplified Bible (AMP) 

From Paul’s growth, he was able to show the Jews in Damascus that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. If Paul did not increase in strength more and more, this truth would not have been shown in his life. He examined, theological evidence and proved with scripture that Jesus was the Messiah. Our growth should always be to the Glory of God.

And finally we need to grow to reach our full potential.

“There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.” Phillipians 1:6 MSG 

We need to grow so we can flourish, just like a seedling grows to bear fruit and flowers we as Christians need to also bear our own fruits. This is a promise to us, God has already started this good work in us, which He will definitely finish and we shall flourish and reach our full potential.

How then can we grow? By reading the word of God. The word is the food for our spirit, it contains everything we need to grow, but we have to study and meditate on it first. Then we can also grow by fellowshipping with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Just as they did in the early church. Doing life with fellow Christians encourages us to grow. It allows us to know that we are not walking this road alone and we have people to lean on. And finally through prayer and fasting. Prayer and fasting cannot be emphasised enough, it is important for us to communicate with God and let Him know our struggles in order for us to overcome them. We also have to listen to Him and do His will.

Let us not look at other Christians and envy their walk with God. We should look inwards, look at where we are and focus on our Journey without comparing it to that of the next person.

Let grace abound as we continue to grow spiritually!!!

 

Ifeoluwa Jaiyesimi.©

The Revolutionary Righter.©