Monday, November 9, 2009

Spiritual Growth

Spiritual Growth

So, what is spiritual growth? When someone mentions this, what comes to your mind? We know that we are born as babies and we grow into an adult. If you get your picture albums out you can see your growth over the years. You can tell all the features that changed as you grew and all the features that didn’t change much. Spiritual growth is the growing in your walk with the Lord. As you get closer to Him, your relationship grows and you become more aware of things going on around you. You begin to see things in a different light. You become much more aware of sinful things and you try to avoid them. We are human and we are not perfect, which is why I say try to avoid.

So how do you grow spiritually? Let’s talk about that for a bit. God commands us to serve others. That’s right, serve others. What does that mean you ask? Well you have to put your selfish needs and desires aside and meet the temporal and spiritual needs of others around us. Read Romans 8:29. Basically God continues to work thru you, the believer, transforming your character into the image of Christ. Being selfish and self centered will hinder your spiritual growth. God sent Jesus to Earth to die and take the punishment for our sins. While he was here, read thru the Bible. What was Jesus doing? Was he throwing parties and living life large? He had all the power he needed and did he use it to gain the throne and remove those he didn’t like? Did he harm or kill anyone who stood in his way? No! Jesus was living the life of a carpenter, but more so as a teacher and servant. He was busy serving others and spreading the good news about God, the Father. His final service while here on Earth was at Calvary. He allowed himself to be taken, beaten, and nailed to a cross so that you could be forgiven. He could have said “oh no, I don’t think so. I think I’ll continue to live and I wish not to be tormented and killed” This was well within his power to do and walk away unharmed, but he didn’t, instead he chose to take the penalty so that we could be forgiven.

What are you called to do? What area does God wish to have you in service of others? Did you know that servicing others is not a once a year thing? Giving some money to Salvation Army at Christmas time is such an awesome donation and is a good service, but it doesn’t end there. What about your friend that parties and does things that you no longer do. Even tho you don’t party anymore you still call this friend if they are a true friend. How can you be of service to them? Try being a good witness to them. Invite them to your church functions, don’t overwhelm them, but simply show them.

We are all in a process of constant spiritual growth. Since we are not perfect and never will be, we will continue to grow in Christ and learn from our mistakes. Reach out to others. Try to help them on their journey, it is paid back 100% guaranteed on God’s time. Think about this today. Pray about it and see where God wants you. Perhaps he needs you in a local ministry, perhaps he needs you where you are to witness to those around you, only way to find out God’s will for your service is to read your Bible and pray about it.

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