Five Foundational Facts About Spiritual Growth

How can you grow in your faith?  The following facts will help you to develop a healthy, growing relationship with God.

1) The mandate to grow.  We are commanded to grow.  2 Peter 3:18 “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

2) The meaning of growth.  Spiritual maturity is loving God and others more and more.  Mark 12:29-31 29 Jesus answered, “The most important is Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. 31 The second is, Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other command greater than these.”

3) The measure of growth.  We don’t compare ourselves to one another, but to God.  Our aim and standard is the very character of God and Christ (Eph 5:1).  1 John 2:6 “The one who says he remains in him should walk just as he walked.”

4) The method of growth.  We grow by abiding/remaining in Christ.  Keep a constant, close connection with Him through Bible reading, private prayer, and church participation.  John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me.”

5) The motivation for growth.  We do not grow to earn our salvation, or to impress others, or to get blessings from God, or just to be happier.  We grow to glorify and serve the Lord.  2 Peter 3:18 “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.”