28 April 2024

GROWING SPIRITUALLY IN CHRIST

(Going Forward in Christ: GFIC 17)

Scripture records that the growth of the child John (the Baptist) thus: “the child grew and became strong in spirit”. It also says the same about young Jesus: “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 1:80; 2:52). When one believes and receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, he is born again into God’s family and adopted as His sons and daughters (John 1:12-13; Romans 8:15-17). Like any child born into a family, the new believer (Christian) needs to grow up into spiritual maturity and adulthood.

Here are some Scriptures saying to this effect:
2 Peter 3:18:
“Grow in the Grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ”.

Colossians 2:6-7:
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness”.

1 Peter 2:2-3:
“As newborn babies, desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious”.

Notice the several things we need to grow:
1. We need to grow in the Grace and Knowledge of Christ.
Christ shows us grace in saving undeserving and unworthy sinners like us. Hence Peter says that “If indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious”. That means we must grow in this grace – to be gracious to people just as Christ shows to us. This comes as we grow in the knowledge of Christ – that is, we become more like Jesus. As John tells us, “Whoever lives in Him must walk like Jesus walked” (1 John 2:6).

2. We need to walk with Jesus in order to grow in Him.
To “walk” is to have a close and consistent relationship with Christ in fellowship through worship and prayer and the Word of God. We need to be disciplined in having our “Quiet Time” with God daily. Start and end the day with Christ in Word and Worship!

3. We need to feed on God’s Word Daily.
We must have a hunger for God, as Peter exhorted the believers: “As newborn babies, desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby…” A newborn baby is always hungry and needs feeding in order to grow healthy and strong. Similarly, as believers in Christ we need spiritual hunger for the Word of God. Jesus said, “The Words I speak to you; they are Spirit and they are life…Man shall not live by bread alone but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (John 6:63; Matt.4:4). Paul advised the Church thus: “Let the Word dwell richly in you…Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of Christ” (Col.3:16; Rom.10;17). Spiritual growth is mandatory and needs discipline. Let us pursue it. 

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