Spiritual Growth - IB

Spiritual Growth Is A Choice – Part Two

As we continue our lesson of “Spiritual Growth Is A Choice” we find that we are strengthened by God in our efforts to grow spiritually. He strengthens us by His Spirit in our inner man - Ep 3:16 “that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,” He empowers us with unimaginable power that is in us - Ep 3:20 “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,” He provides the armor to stand strong in the power of His might - Ep 6:10-11 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” -- There is no excuse not to grow, for Christ strengthens us! - Ph 4:13 “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

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 us remember that "Spiritual Growth Is A Choice" that is blessed by God. The blessings begin in this life as we grow in grace - 2 Pe 3:18 “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” We experience the blessings of the grace in which we stand , such as peace with God, rejoicing in hope - Ro 5:1-2 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” As we grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ - 2 Pe 3:18 (see above). We experience the blessings of adding virtue, knowledge, self-control, etc. to our faith. Such as a victorious life, in which we do not stumble so as to fall - 2 Pe 1:10 “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.” -- Indeed, it is spiritual growth that ensures the "abundant life" that Jesus promised! - Jn 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

The blessings continue into the life to come. We will experience an "abundant entrance" into the everlasting kingdom - 2 Pe 1:11 “For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” In some way, our works do follow us - Re 14:13 “And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Blessed indeed," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!"’ -- At the very least, we know that our labors will not be in vain! - 1 Co 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

We have been talking about growth; but not just any growth, for not all growth is good. The hearts of some grow dull - Mt 13:15 “For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.'” The love of many grows cold - cf. Mt 24:12 “And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.” There is the danger of growing weary in doing good - Ga 6:9 “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”; 2 Th 3:13 “As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.” There is the possibility of growing corrupt according to deceitful lusts - Ep 4:22 “to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,” There is danger of growing wanton against Christ - 1 Ti 5:11 “But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ,” There are those who grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived - 2 Ti 3:13 “while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” -- 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 commanded by God. Growth that requires diligent effort, assisted by God and blessed by God. -- It is this kind of growth that Peter enjoined as he closed his epistle - 2 Pe 3:18. 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...?

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." - Mt 11:28-30