Spiritual Growth

2 Peter 3:17-18 (AMP) Therefore, [let me warn you] beloved, knowing these things beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of [a]unprincipled men [who distort doctrine] and fall from your own steadfastness [of mind, knowledge, truth, and faith] 18 but grow [spiritually mature] in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory (honour, majesty, splendour), both now and to the day of eternity, Amen.

If you have ever tried to keep a plant or garden alive, you have probably noticed the time and energy it takes to help the plants grow. However, as the plant thrives and blooms all the hard work put into nurturing it pays off. (2 Peter 3) tells us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” This is not referring to physical growth like you might see from a plant. Rather, this passage is referring to spiritual growth and growing closer to God.

Philippians 1:3-6 (AMP) I thank my God in every remembrance of you, 4 always offering every prayer of mine with joy [and with specific requests] for all of you, 5 [thanking God] for your participation and partnership [both your comforting fellowship and gracious contributions] in [advancing] the good news [regarding salvation] from the first day [you heard it] until now. 6 I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return].

Spiritual growth includes:

• Increasing in your knowledge and understanding of God's Word,

• Decreasing in your frequency and severity of sin,

• Increasing in your practice of Christ-like qualities, and

• Increasing in your faith and trust in God.

The best way to summarise spiritual growth is that it is becoming more like Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul says, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of what it truly means to be spiritual.

For spiritual growth to occur, you first need to make sure you possess a true spiritual life through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 John 5:11-12 says, "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life". When you believe in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit lives in you (John 14:16-17) and you are a new creation in Christ! 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" Your old nature, which was dominated by sin, is replaced with a new nature that is influenced by God's Spirit (see Romans 6-7). Spiritual growth can only occur in a person who knows the Lord Jesus Christ as his or her Saviour.

Learning how to grow spiritually is a life-long journey. You take each step as you read and apply God's Word to your life. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 teaches us, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." This means that to grow spiritually, we must be taught, rebuked, corrected, and trained by God's Word. Then, we will be thoroughly equipped for every good work. This is the essence of spiritual growth.

Another key to Christian growth is walking in the Spirit. Galatians 5:16-18, 24-26 explains, "So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law...Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."

Walking in the Spirit is allowing Him to fill you (Ephesians 5:18), control you, and guide you. All these things come when you consciously choose—by faith—to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts, words, and deeds/actions (Romans 6:11-14).

Failure to rely on the Holy Spirit's guidance will result in a believer not living up to the calling and standing they have already received through salvation. Ephesians 4:1 says, "…I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received."

Colossians 2:6-7 (AMP) Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in [union with] Him [reflecting His character in the things you do and say—living lives that lead others away from sin], 7 having been deeply rooted [in Him] and now being continually built up in Him and [becoming increasingly more] established [a]in your faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing in it with gratitude.

Just like a tree is “rooted,” we are supposed to be grounded in the soil of God’s Word

Everyone who has received Jesus Christ is to be rooted in Him. A tree puts down deep roots to find nutrition and for stability. In the same way, we must go deep with Christ to find the fuel we need to flourish and to withstand the storms of life.

To be rooted in Christ means you are wholly dependent on Jesus.

You have placed your complete self and your complete trust in Christ your Lord and Saviour, and you draw on Him in every part of your life for everything you may ever want or need. When you are rooted in Christ, He is the centre of your life. Everything you do revolves around Him; your faith bleeds into your work, your family time, your fun. Even when you are relaxing, listening to music, you are aware of the presence and favour of God in your life.