Spiritual Growth

What is spiritual growth, and how do we participate in it?

We live in a world where flesh and spirit compete for our time, attention, money, and even our very souls, Galatians 5:17, "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would." The one who wins is the one we feed with our thoughts and deeds. The Bible asks us to think about these things, Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." and to do these this, John 14:15, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." This means we should, Galatians 5:14, "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

We cannot live the spirit without God's help, John 14:25-26, "These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." and Romans 8:13-14, "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." and Galatians 5:25, "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." and Romans 8:1, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

Galatians 6:7, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." God designed everything to work together for good, and when we sow against the created order, we will reap evil and eventually death, Matthew 7:21-23, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

As God's children, our spiritual growth doesn't just happen to us; we should give "all diligence" to our walk with God. We begin our walk with faith but keep progressing to love. Love is the capstone of all God's work in us. The Lord pours grace over us, but we are not to be passive; we are to work in partnership with God to add to our spiritual growth, Ephesians 4:15-16, "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love."

2 Peter 3:18, "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." We must grow in our "knowledge" of Jesus. This means knowing more about Jesus, but more importantly, we were created to be in a personal relationship with Him. We must know Him, as He knows us, 1 Corinthians 13:12, "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."

Philippians 1:6, "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:" Because this "good work" was begun, Paul was confident of its completion. God is a worker who completes His works, Numbers 23:19, "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?"

Colossians 1:9-10, "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;" Paul knew that spiritual ignorance leads to error, instability, and sorrow. Paul prayed that they would live according to that knowledge. Our walk is based on our knowledge of God and understanding of His will, John 15:7-8, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." Fruitful in every good work means works of obedience, testimony, charity, and kindness are found in our lives. Glorifying the Lord in all the little things we do each day.

To grow, we need nourishment. This nourishment provides growth for building us up in love. God wants us to see the church as a body where every part does its share. Where every part grows together to be better, Ephesians 4:12-13, "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:" God's people are to do the real work of the ministry and God's church is to equip us to do so. The first goal of God's work is a spiritual unity around our common faith. When our spiritual maturity increases, there is a greater intimacy with God. As years pass, we should continue to grow more mature in Him.

God has placed us in unique places throughout this world. This blog is about sharing His Word; please share it with those you believe would be blessed by hearing it. Bless you! If you want to receive the Quarterly Newsletter, email us at bill@reasoningwithgod.com. If you want to read past blogs, go to https://www.reasoningwithgod.com/blog.