A call to grow up (4)
1 John 5:20
‘And we know that the son of God is come and hath given us an understanding that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true, even in his son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.’
He says that we may know him, the key element of the New Testament ministry is knowledge. The knowledge of Christ is the climax – the end in itself. That the believer can work miracles isn’t proof that he is growing spiritually. An elder in the faith is one who is vast in the knowledge of scriptures – who has the facts and chatters.
2 Peter 3:15-18;
15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation, even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given unto him, hath written unto you,
16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things. Therein are some things hard to understand, which those who are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing that ye know these things beforehand, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.
18 But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Peter admonishes spiritual growth, what accounts for spiritual growth is the knowledge of our lord and saviour Jesus Christ. He makes it clear in verse 17 that the believer is either growing in knowledge or falling from steadfastness, being led away by the error of the wicked.
The believer got saved completely upon believing the gospel, but he must know the facts of what got him saved, that’s spiritual growth. The believer must make it a duty to grow in knowledge of God.
When we gather in church, our singular purpose must be to know God better. Everything outside that would be outside God’s plan. The church is the pillar and ground of truth – the truth of God’s word (1Tim. 3:15).
The believer must be deliberate about his growth, growth in age is automatic, but spiritual growth is deliberate, the believer must make intentional effort.
1 Corinthians 11:17
17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.
Our gathering is for the better. After every service, the believer must always ask himself: “Was I inspired to get better, better in my prayer life, in the teaching of God’s word….? This is the vitality of the church, and why we have ministry gifts.
How do you know you’re growing spiritually?
1. Your love walk is strengthened, you find it easy to forgive. When people find it hard to forgive others, it is because of their lack of appreciation of the love of God.
2. Your prayer life. The devil has never told anybody to pray, so when you find yourself praying, know that you are in God’s will. Set aside time to pray when you wake up, don’t outgrow devotions. Your prayer life will show if you are growing, how long can you pray, do you even pray?
Colossians 4:2 says continue in prayer, Ephesians 6:18, 1 Thessalonians 5;17, Luke 18:1, Romans 12:12, Jude 20). There are a plethora of instruction in scriptures for us to pay, continuously so. The believer can check his spiritual growth in his prayer life.
3. Your giving. How do you give to God? Giving to God will include giving to those who teach you God’s word (1Tim. 5:17; Heb. 13:7; Gal. 6:6-10). Giving to the growth of God’s work in the local church. Giving to fellow believers. You can check my spiritual growth in how unselfish you are. As one grows spiritually, he appreciates the things of the spirit over carnal things, he appreciates the leadership in the church.
4. In your discipleship. The believer must preach the word at every opportunity, don’t let go of opportunity. Let there be someone you are teaching God’s word, as you are receiving the word the way to get better is to teach.
This day and beyond, challenge yourself to grow spiritually.
Daily Bible Reading Plan:
Bible Reading – 2 Corinthians 9-13
TEACHING OF THE DAY
Join yourself to this chariot