We’ve learned during this month’s exploration of what it means to be a spiritually-mature Christian that ALL ROADS LEAD BACK TO JESUS. That spiritual maturity is much less about the things we do and everything about our commitment to surrender everything to the Lord of Heaven and earth. That spiritual growth is about glorifying God, not elevating ourselves.
That sets up this critically-important question: “So how do we grow spiritually?”
While we don’t grow in Christ under our own power, accelerating and maximizing our spiritual maturity comes when we are intentional about activating our faith. But getting that done is never easy. There are OBSTACLES everywhere. I’ll tackle one of the most important here in this message: Not UNDERSTANDING God’s call for us to grow spiritually.
It may sound silly, but there are many Christians who accept Christ and think “OK, I’m all set.”
Yes, God saves us when we make that commitment to surrender our life to Jesus. He snatches us out of the world’s darkness and brings us into his Kingdom’s light. But if we’re not paying attention to his Word and the nudging of God’s Holy Spirit, it’s easy to miss his direction to GROW SPIRITUALLY.
“From the very beginning God decided that those who came to him, should become like his Son.” Romans 8:29
I understand how this happens to new believers because it happened to ME. I had no idea God had installed in me my very own spiritual nature, breathed into my bones by the Holy Spirit. I was surrounded by an unfamiliar landscape with no idea how to navigate the unknown and uncertain territory.
After salvation, Christians are wandering in new and unknown territory. Suddenly vulnerable to an Enemy that seeks to attack us like a lion stalking a new-born gazelle struggling to find traction in the Serengeti soil.
Many Christians have their faith frozen in that salvation moment if they don’t pray for and move toward understanding what God would have them do to build their faith and grow closer to him. What God would have them understand. What God would have them seek.
“Guard my words as your most precious possession. Write them down, and also keep them deep within your heart.” Proverbs 7:2-3
I ask God to give me the strength and resolve to identify the obstacles that are keeping me from growing closer to him.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Are you being intentional about overcoming the OBSTACLES that would limit or stop your spiritual growth?
“Those who are always meditating on His Laws are like trees along a river bank bearing fruit, they never wither and whatever they do prospers.” Psalm 1:2-3
“Be a good workman. Know what His Word says and means.” 2 Timothy 2:15
