The Christian's Need For Growth

Introduction

IF YOU WERE TO DRAW A PICTURE OF YOUR LIFE, what image would that be?

Pastor Rick Warren defines this image as your life metaphor.

“It’s your description of how life works and what you expect from it. It determines your expectations, your values, your relationships, your goals, and your priorities.”

One example is an image of a race. In this image, the words “passion” and “pursuit” go hand in hand. We cannot pursue something we are not passionate about.

The WorldTeach series “The 7 Stages of Spiritual Growth” defines spiritual growth in the following manner:

the development of our relationship with God

our transformation into the image of Jesus Christ

the expansion of our dependent walk in the Spirit

From this definition we can notes two things:

Spiritual growth is not just knowledge of the Bible, but is foremost, growing in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Spiritual growth means also, growing in the grace of our Lord Jesus.

Simply, we grow spiritually as we become more like Christ in our words and works.

Christ-likeness is [the] evidence of our faith.

The apostle Peter emphasized this when he addressed spiritual growth in terms of dealing with the false teachers that had crept into the church.

2 Peter 1:1–2 NKJV

1 Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,

2 Peter 2:1–2 NKJV

1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.

The false teachers questionable works questioned the words of God as well. Peter’s intent in writing his second letter was to illustrate that the best way to denounce their deception was through our devotion. He showed that the best way to deal with their lies is through godly lives.

Putting our faith in the Lord Jesus as our Savior is the beginning of our life. Spiritual growth is an evidence that we are spiritually alive.

One of the differences between a living thing and a non-living thing is growth.

A commentary says, “It is not our profession of faith that guarantees that we are saved; It is our progression in the faith that gives us that assurance.”

The person who claims to be a child of God but whose character and conduct give no evidence of spiritual growth is deceiving himself and heading for judgement.

Spiritual growth proves that we are believers.

Peter commands us that we are to make every effort to prove that we are.

2 Peter 1:10 NKJV

10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;

The word “diligent” carries the idea of exerting all effort to achieve once’s desired end. We are to do our best “to make [our] calling and election sure.” The Contemporary English Version (CEV) goes like this: “…you must do all you can to show that God has really chosen and selected you.”

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There are four (4) things we can see from the phrase “be even more diligent”

Spiritual Growth: Important

First, it is a command, written in imperative mood. Imperative means “of vital importance or crucial”

It is not optional. It’s a Christian priority. In fact, it appears that when we are not growing spiritually, we are actually disobedient.

Spiritual Growth: Immediate

Second, it is immediate. Meaning there is a sense of necessity in the command. There is a “call for a specific action with a note of urgency”. We cannot put off spiritual growth. We must grow now. It is not something we choose to do at our convenience.

Are there things in our lives keeping us from growing?

Spiritual Growth: Intentional

Spiritual growth must be intentional. It’s in the active voice. It is not accidental. We don’t grow by chance. Like flying a plane, stop, and you fall.

What steps are we taking in order to grow?

Spiritual Growth: Inclusive

Finally, it is also inclusive. No one is exempted from growth. Growth is not just personal but also corporate. We grow together in the context of a community, the church.

The adjective “sure” in the Greek can be translated “valid.” We have to prove that we have a valid faith.

A commentary says, “One’s godly behavior is a warranty deed for himself that Jesus Christ has cleansed him from his past sins and therefore that he is in fact called and elected by God.” It further explains, “The Christian life begins with faith, but that faith must lead to spiritual growth- unless it is dead faith. But dead faith is not saving faith. Faith leads to growth and growth leads to practical results in life and service.”

So now lets define spiritual growth in a simple word, “spiritual growth means growing in intimacy with Christ.”

It is a command that shows us that it is important, immediate, intentional and inclusive. Believers need it because growth assures us that we are truly God’s elect. We also pursue it because only our godly lives will contradict the lies and falsehood of our times.

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