READY, SET, GROW!
All living things grow: plants grow, animals grow and people grow. Growth is a sign of life – physically and spiritually. Suppose a baby was born but never grew? You’d know something was wrong! Yet there are many Christians who are born again but never grow. Yes, there is something wrong!
YOUR OWN PERSONAL GROWTH Growing in our faith isn’t an option, it is a command. God says in 2 Peter 3:18 that we are to Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Pastors and leaders are responsible to keep growing as well as help other believers grow as well. This book will help you know how to do that. Jesus called salvation “being BORN again.” This occurs through the power of the Holy Spirit, when we accept Jesus’ free gift of forgiveness for our sins and put our faith in Him. When a baby is born, they do not earn it or deserve it. The same is true of salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9). After “being BORN again we grow deeper in knowledge and stronger in faith.
Babies need to EAT so they grow and God commands us to learn His Word so we grow. In 1 Corinthians 3:1-2 Paul says, “Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.” We grow by learning and applying God’s Word, as Peter says in 1 Peter 2:2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. Learning and applying God’s Word is essential to spiritual growth.
Babies start trying to COMMUNICATE as soon as they are born, first by crying, then by talking and listening. As Christians we must learn to talk and listen to God in prayer. A young child must learn to recognize their parents’ voice and obey. We must learn to listen to God’s voice and obey Him. Soon babies learn to walk. New Christians must learn to walk in His Spirit, daily living a holy and honorable life.
Often children stumble and fall when they are first learning. When Christians fall into SIN, we need to confess, ask forgiveness and start following the Lord again. Fortunately, as we mature and grow, we fall less often into sin. Children want to grow up and be like their parents, and it should be the goal of every Christian to want to grow to be more like Jesus.
Romans 8:29 says God’s plan for us is to become like Jesus. Paul challenged the Corinthians to imitate him just as he imitates Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:1). Our goal in spiritual growth is to think and act like more like Jesus. Leaders must commit to growing, for we are all far from being Christ.
OTHERS SPIRITUAL GROWTH Not only must we grow, but as leaders we are responsible to help others mature in faith as well. Jesus called people to accept His free gift of salvation, but He didn’t stop there. He then challenged them to give up everything to be His disciple. Salvation is something we just freely accept – Jesus paid the price and it is free for us to receive. But following as a disciple costs us, for it means living for Jesus before living for ourselves. Jesus commanded this when He said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). We are to grow spiritually and we are to help others grow as well.
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
How is your spiritual health? Are there any weak or infected areas in your life?
Where has the most spiritual growth taken place in the last 12 months?
Where is God working on you right now?
(For a free copy of my book “Spiritual Growth and Discipleship” go to Https://www.christiantrainingonline.org/our-ministries/india/ and click on “Download Books.”)
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling)
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