What Does it Really Mean to Grow Spiritually

MEMORY TRACK:

In our last study, understanding spiritual growth, we saw that spiritual growth is part of God’s original design for humanity. From creation, as recorded in the Book of Genesis, man was made with the capacity to grow into the likeness to God. Growth is therefore not just a response to sin, but a built-in purpose of human life. Unlike other parts of creation, man is uniquely called to grow spiritually — to grow in God’s life.

Spiritual Growth vs Bodily Growth

Man is essentially spirit, that has a soul, and lives in a body. At New birth, man’s spirit is born for the soul to come learn the new life of the Spirit. In essence, spiritual growth is the evidence of life the is in God. Just as living things grow, believers are called to continually mature until they fully express the very life of God.

As humans, we are very knowledgeable and aware of ‘what’ it means to grow naturally/bodily/physically as a result of many information about our physical world and body. We are aware of the need for food, need for water, etc, and how to properly use these for the purpose of our bodily growth. But we know very little about ‘spiritual growth’ (Luke 1:80, 2:52). To put it mildly, there’s a lot of ignorance or muddled up knowledge about what it really means to grow spiritually.

The Paradox of Spiritual Growth

It’s good to identify some things that in themselves are good and godly Christian habits (which we all should imbibe, practice and do) but are not in themselves what makes for spiritual growth:

1. Being born again (John 3:3; 2nd Corinthians 5:17): Many believers unknowingly assume that being born again equals having spiritual growth; hence, many say they are already ‘sons of God’ (and we are not judging or condemning them). The regenerated human spirit of a Christian is ‘A New Man,’ but the soul is a baby that has been called and is expected to grow up spiritually (1st Corinthians 3:1-2).
2. Being very prayerful (Matthew 6:7): We all as Saints are called to pray ceaselessly (Luke 18:1; 1st Thessalonians 5:17), but it is good to know that a consistent prayer life alone is not and will not engender spiritual growth for the soul of a Christian.
3. Working for God (doing service in the house of God) (Matthew 7:21-23): While our spiritual growth is also greatly measured in the quality of our service in the house of God, it is good to carefully note that we can serve in God’s house while still not This is not being said to diminish our service in God’s house, no! Rather, it is to exalt the need for growing up spiritually.
4. Being a good Christian (moral/pious) (2nd Timothy 3:5): Scripture admonishes us to be rich in good works (1st Timothy 6:18), but it is good to say that these good works are not left in the hands of man to determine; rather, the good works are by-products of the knowledge of God’s Word, i.e. The Gospel!

We are not kicking against these godly habits; as good as they are, they are not what commends us to God (Acts 10:30-35). Matt 7:21, Rom 2:13, Jam 1:22).

Core Pillars of a Believer’s Spiritual Growth according to Scriptures (Deuteronomy 8:1-3, 1 Tim 4:8, Is 58:4-7)

The Gospels (the Commandments of God for Our Spiritual Growth) (1st Peter 2:2): in the wisdom of God, He gave us His Children Gospels/Commandments/Power for Our spiritual growth. There are three main Commandments/Gospels for spiritual growth, and they are

1. Milk (1 Cor 3:1-2; Heb 5:12-13; Acts 1:2; Acts 2:42): This commandment is also called THE APOSTLES’ DOCTRINE.
2. The Meat of The Word (1 Corinthians 3:2; John 4:24): This commandment is also called the preaching of
3. The Strong Meat of The Word (Hebrews 5:14; Romans 16:25-26): this commandment is also called the gospel of Everlasting Life/Salvation (1st Peter 1:9)

Without the Gospels of the Kingdom, it is not possible to raise the souls out of babyhood to childhood