When talking about the topic of spiritual growth one must first understand the term and have a working definition. So what does spiritual growth mean? Are we some type of Christian tree? Are we progressing to a more conscious state of spiritual awareness (that’s what Deepak Chopra would say)? No, spiritual growth can be simply defined as the continual process of being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.
Now, I know many people would say that spiritual growth is more complex than that, but…they are wrong. Think about it, what could be more infinitely complex than the Savior? What could be more evasive than having the character of God? Nothing. Spiritual growth is the hardest thing in life. But it is what we are to strive for; it is what we are predestined to do. (Romans 8:29-30)
| Paul tells us that spiritual growth is a lifelong (and beyond) process. Philippians 3:12-14, “Not that I have already obtained this (conformity with Christ, specifically the Resurrection) or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own. |
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, |
| I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” The call of a believer in their life is to continually be conformed to the image of Christ. But how is this accomplished? And is there a “best” way or more “efficient way of doing so? Again, while others would say that this also a very complex question and write for days on end about how it can be done, my answer is simple and brief. I would say that the key to spiritual growth (conformity to Christ) is to walk in the Spirit. Walking in the Spirit is paramount in a Christian’s life. It is only through the Spirit that we are able to resist temptation, sin, and the devil. Paul says, “Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16) Walking in the Spirit means yielding to the desires of the Spirit, if you are yielding to the desires of the Spirit, you are being conformed to the image of the Son. It is simple logic, seeing that this is the goal of the Spirit. Now those are the over-arching ideas if you will. But what about the practicality of it? What about the ‘Nitty gritties?” When you are walking in the spirit a few things will come as an effect of it. You will constantly be in fellowship with God (prayer), you will constantly be in the Word, and you will constantly tell no to sin. You will truly be living a life pleasing to God. Now many people have been trying to figure out the best way to grow spiritually and they do so with a convoluted idea of what it is. They seem to think that spiritual growth is feeling better about your Savior, talking about Him more, praying more “passionately” (in other words starting off with something “better” than “Dear Heavenly Father”), fasting for more than one day at a time (impossible for any true Baptist), and going on more mission trips. But is that in the Bible? No. While some of these are effects of walking in the Spirit they are not true indicators of spiritual growth. Let me give you an illustration of spiritual growth. A new believer is like a newly planted tree, he is small and stubby. Now what He needs is water, the water of walking in the spirit. He also needs sunlight, the rays of yielding to the Spirit. As he walks in the Spirit (by yielding his desires to God, and being dependent on Him for everything) he begins to grow (spiritual growth; conformity with Christ). As he grows, he begins to bear fruit like victory over sin, more time spent in the Word, a passion for reaching the lost, etc. You see the fruit, isn’t the actual growth. The fruit is an effect of the growth. If the fruit was the growth that would mean that you are doing the work and not God. Which is incorrect, the Spirit is doing the work through you. While you are responsible for your own spiritual maturity, the Holy Spirit is the one doing the work, all you are doing is continually yielding yourself to and walking in the Spirit. Saddleback church has a process for spiritual growth I found interesting. It’s a twelve step plan: 1. 1. Commit your life to Christ. The most important decision you'll ever make!
Again, fruit is not the actual growth, just an effect. I would say that a simple breakdown would look something like this (a prerequisite would be that you are already a believer with no unconfessed sin in your life) 1. Yield to the Spirit, 2. Be controlled by the Spirit, 3. Start over again. Always remember that our spiritual growth or conformity to Christ is for the glory of God. That’s my opinion. Take it or leave it. - Dean |
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Awesome dude, that was great. I really liked your, "the Holy Spirit is the one doing the work, all you are doing is continually yielding yourself" sweet quote! Loved it!
ReplyDeletekeep it up bro!