Spiritual Growth
Goals For Spiritual Growth – Part One
Thus far in our study of spiritual growth I have sought to establish the following. Spiritual growth is a choice that we must make commanded by God. That requires diligent effort on our part, yet we are assisted by God in our effort. And we are blessed by God both in this life and the one to come. Spiritual growth is too often hindered by low self-esteem/ Too many Christians sell themselves short, because they do not view themselves capable of attaining higher levels of spiritual growth. Not believing in their God-given capability, they are prone to making excuses for not trying, and therefore not growing. -- Yet because God commands us to grow, we need to have faith that we can grow. But what should be our goals regarding spiritual growth? For what are we to strive for, in making a diligent effort? By what measurement can we determine that spiritual growth is taking place? As with any venture, having goals and attaining them is essential to success. The athlete excels when he or she sets goals, and attains them. The successful business man understands the importance of goals. So it is with the Christian. We must have goals, and measurable ways of attaining them. In this lesson, I want to offer some thoughts in this regards.
First, for the Christian there needs to be what I call behavioral goals. Our ultimate goal is to be like Christ. Jesus intimated such in talking about discipleship. A disciple is to become like his teacher - Lk 6:40 “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.” Jesus wants us to become His disciples - Mt 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."’ Paul made it clear that this is the goal of our redemption. God's desire is that we be conformed to the image of His Son - Ro 8:29 “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” As we are being transformed, it is in the image of Christ - 2 Co 3:18 “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” We are to be renewed according to the image of Christ - Co 3:10-11 “and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.” -- So an essential element of spiritual growth is to become more Christ-like, renewing our behavior to conform to the example of Jesus Christ.
This transformation involves growing in the knowledge of Christ. Which Peter commanded in 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.” Not just academic knowledge, but personal knowledge through character development - 2 Pe 1:5-8 “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” We must add spiritual graces to our faith, such as virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. It is with the development of such graces that we are truly fruitful in the knowledge of Christ - cf. 2 Pe 1:8 “For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” -- These graces were best personified in Jesus Christ; the more we grow in them, the more we truly know and understand our Lord and Savior!
The challenge of reaching our behavioral goals is that it requires diligent effort on our part - 2 Pe 1:5a “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith,,,”, 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.” It requires sustained effort - Ga 6:7-9 “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” -- As stressed before, such growth does not come naturally; if we are not careful, we may revert back to our former conduct and character - 2 Pe 2:20-22 “For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: "The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire."’ True spiritual growth demands a renewal of mind and character (Ro 12:1-2 “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”), in which the goal is to become like our Teacher, Jesus Christ!
As members of His body, the church, there are other goals to attain. What I refer to as functional goals. The church is a body with many members in which every member is important - 1 Co 12:12-22. In which not every member has the same function - Ro 12:3-5 “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” In which every member must do its part - Ep 4:16 “from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” -- The Lord's church grows only as each member does his part in the body of Christ.
We will continue this lesson in Part Two looking at how our personal spiritual growth goals are intertwined within the growth of the congregation.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Spiritual Growth - IIB
Spiritual Growth And Self-Esteem – Part Two
In our previous portion of this lesson we looked at what self-esteem is and the Christian’s basis for a high self-esteem. A Christian has two primary reasons for having a healthy self-image by virtue of divine generation and spiritual regeneration.
But now let's address more directly the subject of self-esteem and spiritual growth. For the Christian a poor self-esteem hinders spiritual growth. How so? Not believing they are capable of growing, some tell themselves: "I could never do that (teach a class, preach a sermon, etc.)..." "I will make too many mistakes..." Prone to giving up too soon, some tell themselves: "I just don't have the ability..." "I am only a one talent individual..." Poor self-esteem on an individual basis can easily carry over to how the group feels. "We are too small as a church to do..." "We are too poor..." -- All such excuses are indications of poor self-esteem, and prevent spiritual growth from occurring!
A proper self-esteem enhances spiritual growth. Consider the healthy self-esteem the apostle Paul had: For himself - Ph 4:13 “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” For others - Ph 1:6 “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”; 2:12-13 “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” We should have a similar estimation of ourselves. We can do whatever God wants us to do, because Christ strengthens us! We may not all do the same, but we can contribute much to the glory of God! Ro 12:3-8; 1 Pe 4:10-11 -- Instead of making excuses, tell yourself: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"! - Ph 4:13
Here are some practical steps for improving self-esteem. Identify and accept your strengths, weaknesses--everyone has them, no one is perfect. Take an "I can" attitude and offer yourself encouragement along the way. An "I can" if I think I can and tell myself I can. Set some realistic goals, and then take joy in your achievements (giving God the glory!). Don't try to be someone else, but be thankful of who you are. Explore your own talents, learn to love and appreciate the unique person you are (God loves you, your brethren love you, shouldn't you?). Eliminate negative self-talk; consider the following: It takes about 20 positive statements about ourselves (the foundation of our self-esteem) to counteract even just 1 negative personal statement! It doesn't take a continual repetition of negative statements from our parents, peers, and others throughout our childhood to cause low self-esteem. Once we get a couple in our head, we can use them over and over again; again and again we take those false negatives and repeat them unconsciously (completely unaware) - it's like having a constant heckler with you. Formulate some positive statements about yourself and repeat them out loud.
Poor self-esteem is a major hindrance to spiritual growth.... We make excuses for not trying. We often give up before we make progress. On the other hand, spiritual growth greatly enhances self-esteem.... As we grow, our achievements encourage us to do more. As we grow, we gain confidence that we are on the right track - 1 Jn 3:18-19 “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him;” Rather than let a mistaken estimation of self to hinder our service to God.... Allow God's estimation of us to enhance our self-image and self-esteem. Allow God's estimation of us to encourage the spiritual growth He desires. -- We will feel better about ourselves when we do!
In our previous portion of this lesson we looked at what self-esteem is and the Christian’s basis for a high self-esteem. A Christian has two primary reasons for having a healthy self-image by virtue of divine generation and spiritual regeneration.
But now let's address more directly the subject of self-esteem and spiritual growth. For the Christian a poor self-esteem hinders spiritual growth. How so? Not believing they are capable of growing, some tell themselves: "I could never do that (teach a class, preach a sermon, etc.)..." "I will make too many mistakes..." Prone to giving up too soon, some tell themselves: "I just don't have the ability..." "I am only a one talent individual..." Poor self-esteem on an individual basis can easily carry over to how the group feels. "We are too small as a church to do..." "We are too poor..." -- All such excuses are indications of poor self-esteem, and prevent spiritual growth from occurring!
A proper self-esteem enhances spiritual growth. Consider the healthy self-esteem the apostle Paul had: For himself - Ph 4:13 “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” For others - Ph 1:6 “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”; 2:12-13 “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” We should have a similar estimation of ourselves. We can do whatever God wants us to do, because Christ strengthens us! We may not all do the same, but we can contribute much to the glory of God! Ro 12:3-8; 1 Pe 4:10-11 -- Instead of making excuses, tell yourself: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"! - Ph 4:13
Here are some practical steps for improving self-esteem. Identify and accept your strengths, weaknesses--everyone has them, no one is perfect. Take an "I can" attitude and offer yourself encouragement along the way. An "I can" if I think I can and tell myself I can. Set some realistic goals, and then take joy in your achievements (giving God the glory!). Don't try to be someone else, but be thankful of who you are. Explore your own talents, learn to love and appreciate the unique person you are (God loves you, your brethren love you, shouldn't you?). Eliminate negative self-talk; consider the following: It takes about 20 positive statements about ourselves (the foundation of our self-esteem) to counteract even just 1 negative personal statement! It doesn't take a continual repetition of negative statements from our parents, peers, and others throughout our childhood to cause low self-esteem. Once we get a couple in our head, we can use them over and over again; again and again we take those false negatives and repeat them unconsciously (completely unaware) - it's like having a constant heckler with you. Formulate some positive statements about yourself and repeat them out loud.
Poor self-esteem is a major hindrance to spiritual growth.... We make excuses for not trying. We often give up before we make progress. On the other hand, spiritual growth greatly enhances self-esteem.... As we grow, our achievements encourage us to do more. As we grow, we gain confidence that we are on the right track - 1 Jn 3:18-19 “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him;” Rather than let a mistaken estimation of self to hinder our service to God.... Allow God's estimation of us to enhance our self-image and self-esteem. Allow God's estimation of us to encourage the spiritual growth He desires. -- We will feel better about ourselves when we do!
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Spiritual Growth - IIA
Spiritual Growth – II
Spiritual Growth And Self-Esteem – Part One
In our previous lesson we saw that "Spiritual Growth Is A Choice" commanded by God - 2 Pe 3:18. Requiring diligent effort on our part - Ph 2:12. Assisted by God - Ph 2:13. Blessed by God - 2 Pe 1:8-11. Yet many Christians do not reach their potential for spiritual growth. Character development is minimal, abilities likewise underdeveloped. Years pass by with little progress. I am persuaded a major reason is poor self-esteem causing Christians to underestimate their true potential thus hindering their efforts to grow. What is self-esteem? How does it affect our spiritual growth?
Let's begin by taking a look at self-esteem and the Christian. Self-esteem is our internal feelings and evaluation of ourselves based on our "perceived" self-image. In other words, how we feel about ourselves based on how we view ourselves. Self-esteem and self-image are closely related, based mostly on feedback during childhood. Feedback may come first from others (parents, peers, other important figures), but then is reinforced by our own self-talk (what we tell ourselves). Healthy self-esteem is enhanced by childhood experiences that include: being praised, being listened to, and being spoken to respectfully; getting attention and hugs; experiencing success in sports or school and having trustworthy friends. Childhood experiences that lead to low self-esteem include: being harshly criticized, yelled at, or beaten; being ignored, ridiculed or teased; being expected to be "perfect" all the time; experiencing failures in sports or school. -- People with low self-esteem were often given messages that failed experiences (losing a game, getting a poor grade, etc.) were failures of their whole self. The consequences of poor self-esteem can create anxiety, stress, loneliness and increased likelihood for depression. It can cause problems with friendships and relationships. It can seriously impair academic and job performance. It can lead to underachievement and increased vulnerability to drug and alcohol abuse where one with low self-esteem attempts to self-medicate their negative feelings about themselves. -- These negative consequences themselves reinforce the negative self-image and can take a person into a downward spiral of lower and lower self-esteem and increasingly nonproductive or even actively self-destructive behavior.
The Christian’s basis for a high self-esteem has two primary reasons for having a healthy self-image. First, dignity, by virtue of divine generation. We were created in God's image - Gen 1:26-27 “Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” We were created to exercise dominion - Gen 1:28 “And God blessed them. And God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth."’ -- God has further demonstrated His high estimation of mankind by His love - Jn 3:16 ‘"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”; 1 Jn 4:10 “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”; Ro 5:8 “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” These facts must be planted deep within the heart and soul of one that is suffering from low self-esteem or self-image.
Second, dignity by virtue of spiritual regeneration. Yes, we are sinners, but we have been regenerated - Ti 3:5 “he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,” We are now loved as His children - 1 Jn 3:1 “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” Christians have other reasons for having a good self-esteem. The blessing of continued forgiveness when we sin - 1 Jn 1:9-2:2 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” The blessing of God's Spirit to help us overcome sin - Ga 4:6 “And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"’; Ro 8:12 “So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.”; 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,” The blessing of God's family (the church) to help us - He 3:12 “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.”; 10:25 “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” The blessing of God's own assurance never to forsake us - He 13:5-6 “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"’ There is much that could be added to the fact that God highly esteems His children. While we are sinners, He wants us to have the proper estimation of ourselves.
In the next portion of this lesson we will address more directly the subject of self-esteem as to how it negatively affects spiritual growth of a Christian.
Spiritual Growth And Self-Esteem – Part One
In our previous lesson we saw that "Spiritual Growth Is A Choice" commanded by God - 2 Pe 3:18. Requiring diligent effort on our part - Ph 2:12. Assisted by God - Ph 2:13. Blessed by God - 2 Pe 1:8-11. Yet many Christians do not reach their potential for spiritual growth. Character development is minimal, abilities likewise underdeveloped. Years pass by with little progress. I am persuaded a major reason is poor self-esteem causing Christians to underestimate their true potential thus hindering their efforts to grow. What is self-esteem? How does it affect our spiritual growth?
Let's begin by taking a look at self-esteem and the Christian. Self-esteem is our internal feelings and evaluation of ourselves based on our "perceived" self-image. In other words, how we feel about ourselves based on how we view ourselves. Self-esteem and self-image are closely related, based mostly on feedback during childhood. Feedback may come first from others (parents, peers, other important figures), but then is reinforced by our own self-talk (what we tell ourselves). Healthy self-esteem is enhanced by childhood experiences that include: being praised, being listened to, and being spoken to respectfully; getting attention and hugs; experiencing success in sports or school and having trustworthy friends. Childhood experiences that lead to low self-esteem include: being harshly criticized, yelled at, or beaten; being ignored, ridiculed or teased; being expected to be "perfect" all the time; experiencing failures in sports or school. -- People with low self-esteem were often given messages that failed experiences (losing a game, getting a poor grade, etc.) were failures of their whole self. The consequences of poor self-esteem can create anxiety, stress, loneliness and increased likelihood for depression. It can cause problems with friendships and relationships. It can seriously impair academic and job performance. It can lead to underachievement and increased vulnerability to drug and alcohol abuse where one with low self-esteem attempts to self-medicate their negative feelings about themselves. -- These negative consequences themselves reinforce the negative self-image and can take a person into a downward spiral of lower and lower self-esteem and increasingly nonproductive or even actively self-destructive behavior.
The Christian’s basis for a high self-esteem has two primary reasons for having a healthy self-image. First, dignity, by virtue of divine generation. We were created in God's image - Gen 1:26-27 “Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” We were created to exercise dominion - Gen 1:28 “And God blessed them. And God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth."’ -- God has further demonstrated His high estimation of mankind by His love - Jn 3:16 ‘"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”; 1 Jn 4:10 “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”; Ro 5:8 “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” These facts must be planted deep within the heart and soul of one that is suffering from low self-esteem or self-image.
Second, dignity by virtue of spiritual regeneration. Yes, we are sinners, but we have been regenerated - Ti 3:5 “he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,” We are now loved as His children - 1 Jn 3:1 “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” Christians have other reasons for having a good self-esteem. The blessing of continued forgiveness when we sin - 1 Jn 1:9-2:2 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” The blessing of God's Spirit to help us overcome sin - Ga 4:6 “And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"’; Ro 8:12 “So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.”; 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,” The blessing of God's family (the church) to help us - He 3:12 “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.”; 10:25 “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” The blessing of God's own assurance never to forsake us - He 13:5-6 “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"’ There is much that could be added to the fact that God highly esteems His children. While we are sinners, He wants us to have the proper estimation of ourselves.
In the next portion of this lesson we will address more directly the subject of self-esteem as to how it negatively affects spiritual growth of a Christian.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
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
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
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