We place growth charts on the wall to measure how much our children grow from one year to the next. It is exciting for them and for us to see them changing inches at a time. We expect them to mature physically and mentally. We want them to become good responsible citizens. It is our responsibility to bring them up “…in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4 NIV1984).
How does your spiritual growth chart measure up since you became a believer, especially if you have been a Christian for many years? Are you maturing in faith? Do you have a closer relationship with God than when you were first saved? God desires for His children to grow into spiritually responsible adults. Peter says that we are to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jeus Christ…” (II Peter 3:18). We are “predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son…” (Rom. 8:29). When we grow spiritually, the world notices that we are different. They can tell that we are Christians by our actions.
It is disheartening to see a young person who refuses to grow up. He may be irresponsible going from one job to another, getting in trouble with the law or resorting to drug and alcohol abuse. To see a long-time believer who hasn’t progressed spiritually is also disheartening. She is quick to take offense, hold grudges, be unforgiving or unwilling to accept responsibility for her own actions. She gets upset when things don’t go her way. Concerning such behavior, Paul said, “put it away!” — “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man (matured), I put childish ways behind me” (I Cor. 13:11).
Just as a child does not grow from three feet to five feet tall overnight, neither does a new believer grow spiritually overnight. Satan may put obstacles in her way. Her friends may not want to include her in their circle anymore. Previous temptations may cause her to falter. She may feel insecure around more knowledgeable Christians. Growing spiritually is a process that comes from routine Bible reading and prayer, from faithfulness in God’s service, from fellowshipping with other believers strong in the faith and from worshipping God. There will always be bumps in the road in a Christian’s journey, but they will become steppingstones to victory as one learns to trust God in all situations.
We must each take responsibility for our own maturity in the faith. Others may encourage us, but we must not expect them to constantly have to prompt or prod to make us grow spiritually. It must be our own desire to seek an on-going relationship with Jesus. As we grow in grace and knowledge, we will experience the life that God wants us to have. It isn’t an easy road at times, but it is fulfilling and keeps us going and growing even when times are difficult.
Growing in grace is rewarding. Your outlook on life is different as you are no longer a newborn believer. You have learned to trust God more fully. Your faith continues to grow. You love to read God’s Word and your knowledge of Him has increased. You are an encourager. You promote unity in your church. You exhibit the fruit of the Spirit which is “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…” (Gal. 5:22, 23). To see a woman who embraces these characteristics is a woman who delights in the Lord.
How does your spiritual growth chart look?
