The Believer's Growth

"Becoming like Christ is a long, slow process of growth." - Rick Warren

When one thinks of growth, things like nutrition, exercise, and plenty of sleep may pop into mind. No doubt these are all crucial elements that help to ensure a good foundation for proper physical and mental development.

Our growth as believers has some components that are equally important, too. Obviously, we all want to grow and mature as believers. We want to do what is necessary for our spiritual development.

The problem is, many of us are not sure what this involves. After all, we read our Bibles regularly, attend church, pray, and make an effort to demonstrate good Christian behaviors.

Yet, we wonder if we're getting it right. I applaud you if you are, at least, following the basics that I've listed above. You are well on you way. But, if you're like me, you need some additional, helpful suggestions or directions to follow.

We first need some fertile ground in which to grow. It must be cleared away and prepared before anything else. In a garden, this would mean rocks, weeds, and anything that would stifle proper growth.

For the believer, this means: sin. We must purge our minds of anger, deceit, hypocrisy, envy or jealousy, and slander. All are sins needing to be tossed out in order to clear the way.

Good nutrition encourages good growth. It's no different for the believer. 1 Peter 2:2 says that, "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation." Our "spiritual milk" comes from the word of God: the Bible.

The word of God, if utilized correctly, leaves us in a better state than we were found. We are greatly improved and suitably fed spiritually. One could say that this alone is the secret of growth for the believer.

But, there's more to do. Once we've been nourished by the Bible, the growing process begins. So, where do we grow? For some insight on this, let's look at Ephesians 4:15.

"Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ." Truth here, refers to the doctrine of Christ, which is the truth.

And love is also a good thing. Thus, we should abide in love with each other. Truth is good too, but it must be spoken in love. Take care to keep truth and love together. Add one more ingredient to the mix: peace, and you really have something.

Our spiritual roots now have some excellent ground in which to take hold. This will help us to "grow up into Christ in all things;" that is, to become more deeply rooted in him in all things, such as: knowledge, love, faith, and all components of the new man.

We are on the way to growing in maturity, and improving as believers in Christ. The more we grow in closeness to him, have faith in him, love him, and depend upon him, the more we will florish in every grace. He is the head, and by our growth we honor him.

And unlike the sinful, who flourish like the grass which is short-lived (Psalm 92:7), the believer will prosper like the palm tree which is comparatively longer-lived (Psalm 92:12). The righteous tend to hold up better under the burdens of and afflictions in life.

Now for the big question: "In what is the believer to grow?" From our discussion today, there are three crucial items. The believer is to grow in grace, knowledge, and faith. The apostle Peter tells us to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18).

The stronger that grace is in us, the stronger we will be in the truth. As for knowledge, the more we know of Christ and his purpose, the more we can be like him and love him more. Consider faith as the as the bloom that rises to the surface.

We have a good reason, and an obligation to be thankful to God for the goodness in ourselves and others. This is not merely an act of kindness toward our fellow Christians, but our responsibility to thank God for their sake.

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:15; Hebrews 6:1; Job 8:7; Colossians 2:6-7; Proverbs 1:5

Prayer: Dear Lord, may You lead us to live sincerely as we are called to be, amen.

Have a blessed day!

Genevieve