GROWING IN GRACE
Memorise: But grow in grace,
and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both
now and for ever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18
Read: Colossians 2:6-7, Bible
in one year: 1st Chronicles 4:24-6:81, Proverbs 26:15-28
Even though little children
and babies enjoy many benefits such as being carried, being assisted in every
situation and receiving prompt attention and care when they cry, it is not a
desirable thing to remain a baby or a child. It is neither in the interest of
the child nor that of its parents that a child or baby remains stagnant in
growth and not mature. In like manner, while Jesus as the Great Shepherd of his
people will gather the young ones with His arms and carry them in His bosom
(Isaiah 40:11), He would not be delighted in having them remain immature
indefinitely. To remain a babe in the faith for too long is to make yourself a
liability to the body of Christ and an unnecessary burden for the leaders set
over you. Such Christians don’t know their full rights in Christ, and hence,
the enemy takes advantage of their ignorance to afflict them and cheat them. It
is common knowledge that in the natural world, children do funny things that
can bring them harm, the same applies spiritually. Spiritual babes can
ignorantly inflict injury on themselves by allowing the devil to make them do
foolish things. Such Christians will no doubt be carnal Christians. Besides,
babies don’t reproduce and God hates unfruitfulness (John 15:1-2). With these
in mind, it is therefore very undesirable to refuse to grow in your Christian
life. Now, how is a Christian expected to grow? This is revealed in Colossians
2:6-7.
“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord,
so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as
ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”
Note from the above passage
that there are two directions of growth. Basically, a plant sends its root
downwards, while its stem and branches grows upward. It is the root growing
deep in the soil that gets food supply to support the stem, branches, leaves
and fruiting of the plant above. So also must the children of God keep sending
their roots deeper and deeper in Christ till an evident outward expression of
growth and maturity in Christian virtues, character and wisdom is made
manifest. Also, from the above passage, to achieve spiritual growth, you must
expose yourself to achieve spiritual growth; you must expose yourself to Bible
teachings i.e. sound doctrinal teachings that reveal the total counsel of God.
You are not helping yourself if select only the things in the word of God that
suit you and neglect other instructions, warnings and chastisement.
Prayer Point:
Pray that the Lord will help
you to be consistent in exposing yourself to provisions of God for your growth
– studying, meditating, praying, evangelism and obedience to the word of God.
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