8 Facts About Spiritual Growth

I recently came across the story of Gabby Williams.  She is one of six children.  Even though she is the second oldest, she is the smallest.  She has a very rare grow disorder called Syndrome X.  Other than her hair and fingernails, she will never growth up.  She will remain an infant physically and mentally for the rest of her life.

Many Christians have a growth disorder too.  You might call it SGD – Spiritual Growth Disorder.  It is not physical, it is spiritual.  In a way it is more tragic than Syndrome X.  Little Gabby has no power over her growth disorder.  It is not her fault.  She was born that way.  But SGD – Spiritual Growth Disorder – is a choice.  Whether or not you grow as a Christian is completely within your power, but many Christians choose to remain spiritual babies.

Colossians 3:9-10 gives us the facts about spiritual growth so that we can keep on growing as Christians.

“Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator.”

1) Spiritual growth requires salvation.  The verbs for "put off" and "put on" describe a single, unrepeatable event -- salvation.  When a person converts to Christianity, they put off the old self and put on the new self; they repent of sin and turn to God.  Paul states a truth about those who have put off and put on -- they are being renewed.  Only those who are saved can grow.  Dead things cannot grow.

2) Spiritual growth requires the continuous decision to put off and put on.  In verses 3-10 we are told to put to death vice, and in verses 12 and following to put on virtue.  So putting off and on describe the salvation event, but also the daily commitment we must make to grow in Christ.  We must never stop putting off sin, and putting on Christlike character.

3) Spiritual growth is God's will for your life.  God is renewing you.  He is transforming you.  This implies that spiritual growth is God's will for your life.  It is not optional.  It is not just for some Christians.

4) Spiritual growth is inevitable.  You "are" being renewed.  If you are truly saved, then God is growing you.  However, the speed, ease, and degree of your growth depends on you.

5) Spiritual growth is an ongoing process.  You are "being renewed."  You will never arrive at spiritual perfection this side of heaven.  You will always be a work in progress.

6) Spiritual growth is a work of God.  "You are being renewed."  You cannot grow yourself; spiritual growth is a miracle of God.  But it is not completely passive.  Like farming, it is a partnership.  The farmer cannot create the miracle of growth, but he can create the conditions necessary for growth.

7) Spiritual growth requires biblical knowledge.  "You are being renewed in knowledge."  You cannot grow beyond what you know!

8) Spiritual growth is becoming more like Christ.  "You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your creator."  Spiritual growth is becoming like Christ, loving God and others more and more.