Spiritual Growth
Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6
Spiritual growth can be measured by our increase in faith. Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. (2 Corinthians 13:5) The closer we are to the Lord the more love we have in our heart, the more faith we will have. We cannot get closer to the Lord without reaping more faith, because faith is dependent on our relationship with the Lord.
Spiritual growth is defined by knowledge, reading the Word and fellowship, experience or obeying God’s will, and by our motivation to spiritually grow. The Word reveals God to us and we come to know God by obedience. Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. (Romans 10:7) We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. (1 John 2:3) From the Word we obtain faith because God reveals his promises and shows that he always keeps his promises. However spiritual growth only occurs when we obey the Lord’s perfect will, and experience the Lord in our life. And our motivation to spiritually grow has a major influence on the results.
We can also recognize our spiritual growth by our motivation, because motivation increases with our spiritual growth. Serving the Lord, Bible study, and fellowship, becomes the priority in our life. We become more eternally minded and we start to see people as God sees people, which motivates us to be a light for Christ in this world.
Today think about growing spiritually, by reading the Word and showing a Christ-like attitude to others. God is molding you to the mind of Christ and is using all things to make this happen. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) Attempt to use everything in your life today to grow spiritually and periodically examine your faith as a measure of your spiritual growth.
Prayer: Lord, help me to grow spiritual and keep increasing my motivation to be closer to you and to serve you with faith and with a heart of love. Thank you for your love and your divine guidance. Let your light be seen in me, that I might bring your love and hope to those that are hurting and lost. Thank you Lord for molding me to be Christ-like, and increasing my faith in you. In Jesus name, Amen