The Key to a Healthy Spiritual Life is Growth!

In The Last Days Newsletter, Leonard Ravenhill tells about a group of tourists visiting a picturesque village who walked by an old man sitting beside a fence. In a rather patronizing way, one tourist asked, "Were any great men born in this village?" The old man replied, "Nope, only babies."

A frothy question brought a profound answer. There are no instant heroes--whether in this world or in the kingdom of God. Growth takes time, and as 1 Timothy 3:6 and 5:22 point out, even spiritual leadership must be earned.

The blessings enjoyed in Christ include not only redemption, but renewal. In baptism, we undergo a "washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:5). From baptism, we rise to "walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4).

The renewal we find in Christ involves the concept of spiritual growth. Just as a healthy physical life is one of growth, so a healthy spiritual life is a process of growth.

Sadly, not all Christians grow spiritually. Many have been Christians for years, with little change or improvement. They are no more, often less, useful to the Lord than when they first became Christians. Failing to grow, they become stagnant, like a pool of water.

That is because spiritual growth is a choice! It doesn't happen by default (unlike physical growth). Spiritual growth (like emotional maturity) occurs only when we choose to grow. If we do not make that choice, and stick to it, there will be no spiritual growth!

To encourage us to make the right choice regarding spiritual growth, consider that spiritual growth is a choice commanded by God. It is implicitly stated in Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). It was here that Jesus commanded His apostles to make disciples by baptizing them, and teaching them to observe all things He commanded. Implicit in the command to teach, is that disciples would be obedient learners, i.e., constantly growing as they learned and obeyed their Lord.

Additionally, that spiritual growth is a choice commanded by God is explicitly stated in the apostolic epistles. For example, Peter ends his second epistle with a command to grow (2 Peter 3:18). Peter begins his second epistle describing how we are to grow (2 Peter 1:5-8). Christians who did not grow, were sternly rebuked (e.g., Hebrews 5:12-6:1).

Spiritual growth is a not an option, reserved for a few select Christians. The Word of God commands us to grow! We should also remember that spiritual growth is a choice that requires diligent effort.

Spiritual growth is unlike physical growth. People grow physically by default (unless there is some disorder). Here, no effort is required on our part; we mature physically whether we want to or not. However, don't think that just because you grow older, you are growing spiritually!

Spiritual growth requires concentrated effort! Jesus said it requires labor (cf. John 6:27). Paul wrote that it requires work, pressing on (cf. Philippians 2:12; 3:13-14). Peter wrote that it requires diligence (cf. 2 Peter 1:5,10). Like physical health, spiritual growth requires regular exercise (cf. 1 Titus 4:7-8).

Spiritual growth is not easy! We must work at it. Today. Tomorrow. Always. But we can take comfort in knowing that spiritual growth is a choice which is assisted by God.

Dear friends, we are not alone in our efforts. For while we work out our salvation, God is at work in us (Philemon 2:12-13). Just as He was with us in producing our new birth (cf. Titus 3:5). God desires to complete the work He started when He saved us (cf. Philippians 1:6).

In spiritual growth, we are strengthened by God in our efforts. He strengthens us by His Spirit in our inner man (cf. Ephesians 3:16). He empowers us with unimaginable power that is in us (cf. Ephesians 3:20). He provides the armor to stand strong in the power of His might (cf. Ephesians 6:10-11). There is no excuse not to grow, for Christ strengthens us! (cf. Philippians 4:13).

With God as our aid, spiritual growth is possible. And not mediocre growth, but spiritual growth beyond what limits we might think hinder us! Finally, let's remember that spiritual growth is a choice that is blessed by God!

The blessings begin in this life as we grow in grace (cf. 2 Peter 3:18). We experience the blessings of the grace in which we stand, such as peace with God, and rejoicing in hope (cf. Romans 5:1-2) as we grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ (cf. 2 Peter 3:18).

We also experience the blessings of adding virtue, knowledge, self-control, etc. to our faith. This might include a victorious life, in which we do not stumble so as to fall (cf. 2 Peter 1:10). Therefore, it is spiritual growth that ensure the "abundant life" now that Jesus promised! (cf. John 10:10).

But it doesn't stop here! The blessing continue into the life to come. We will experience an "abundant entrance" into the everlasting kingdom (2 Peter 1:11). In some way, our works do follow us (cf. Revelation 14:13). At the very least, we know that our labors will not be in vain! (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:58).

In summary, we have been talking about growth; but not just any growth, for not all growth is good...

a. The hearts of some grow dull (cf. Matthew 13:15).
b. The love of many grow cold (cf. Matthew 24:12).
c. There is the danger of growing weary in doing good (cf. Galatians 6:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:13).
d. There is possibility of growing corrupt according to deceitful lusts (cf. Ephesians 4:22).
e. There is danger of growing wanton against Christ (cf. 1 Timothy 5:11).
f. There are those who grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived (cf. 2 Timothy 3:13).

Just like the growth of cancerous cells, the wrong growth can be deadly!

We have been talking about spiritual growth, the kind of growth that is...

a. Commanded by God
b. Requires diligent effort
c. Assisted by God
d. Blessed by God

It is this kind of growth that Peter commanded as he closed his epistle (2 Peter 3:18).

So, I ask the following question, "What kind of growth is taking place in our spiritual lives?" Is it a deadly kind of growth, creating dull hearts, love that is cold, weariness in doing good, even moral corruption?

Or is it a vibrant kind of growth in which we are abounding in love, joy, and peace, being faithful and fruitful in our service to Jesus Christ? The one kind of growth is often the result of neglect, the other kind of growth comes only when we make the right choice!

If we desire to experience the blessings of the right kind of growth, then never forget that spiritual growth is a choice! Are you making the right choice today and every day...?

Prayer:

Lord comfort my heart and establish me in every good work;
Establish me in every good word.
God of peace, sanctify me wholly in the name of Jesus;
Father Lord let my body, soul and spirit be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in the name of Jesus;
Let me be filled with the knowledge of His will in Jesus name;
And let me be filled with all wisdom and spiritual understanding in the name of Jesus.
Amen

God bless you!

Vivianne