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| Volume 25 Number 1 January 2023 |
Page 10 |
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| Volume 25 Number 1 January 2023 |
Page 10 |
How to Grow As a Christian
Hiram Kemp
Christianity is a religion in which we are commanded to grow (2 Peter 3:18). We cannot remain stagnant and be pleasing to God. We come into Christ as babes, but we must grow and progress from that point (1 Peter 2:2). We will not be pleasing to God if we remain in spiritual infancy for too long (Hebrews 5:11-14). We need to graduate from the milk of the Word so we can produce the fruit that God desires we cultivate. Therefore, it is wise for us to take inventory of our spiritual progress (Proverbs 27:23). We should look to ourselves and determine if we are stuck in neutral or pressing toward the mark (Philippians 3:14). As it relates to spiritual growth, our speed is not as important as our direction. We may not be growing at the rate of some, but we should not compare ourselves to others. God wants us to examine ourselves, develop our talents and grow in our faith. The question is, “How can we do this?” How can we fulfill the command to “grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ”?
Read Scripture Daily
How many times have you heard this in sermons and Bible classes? We need to be reminded constantly that we are to be a people of the Book. We will not grow close to God apart from growing close to His Word. While we have often heard of the need to read the Bible daily, how many times have we failed to make this our habit? Is it your daily practice to read a portion of the Word of God? The Jews in Berea were praised because they searched the Scriptures every day (Acts 17:11). Joshua was told to meditate on the Word day and night (Joshua 1:8-9). Job prized the Word of God above his daily food (Job 23:12). Timothy was to handle the Word of truth properly (2 Timothy 2:15: 1 Timothy 4:13). Those who want to grow will make it a priority to read Scripture daily. As this becomes a pattern, we will be able to consume and comprehend more Scripture. By putting what we read into practice, we will become more like the Christ we serve (2 Corinthians 3:18). It is one thing to know we should read the Bible daily, but only those who actually engage in this discipline will know true spiritual growth. It is true that we will all miss some days and sometimes fall out of the routine, but we must fight against allowing this to become the norm in our lives. We cannot live by bread alone. We need to hear from God in His Word (Matthew 4:4). Get a reading calendar and read along with others in the congregation. Follow a reading plan of your own choosing. Whatever you decide, make it a priority to get into the Bible every day. As you learn more about God through His Word, your love for Him will deepen, and your fidelity toward Him will flourish. Those who want to grow as Christians will become and will continue to be daily readers of the Word of God.
Serve Selflessly
Jesus left us an example of servitude (John 13:1-17). In the eyes of God, the way to greatness is by surrendering our lives in service to our fellow man. Jesus did not come to be served, but He came to serve (Mark 10:44-45). If you and I want to grow spiritually, we would be wise to find ways to serve selflessly. Pride is the Achilles heel of spiritual growth. The antidote to pride is humble service. Those who are busy doing for others do not have time to be inflated with their own importance. As we spend our time helping others, we will not be consumed with thoughts about ourselves.
Think of something every day you can do for someone else. Call and check on a shut-in. Write a birthday card to someone celebrating another year around the sun. Make a meal for a grieving family or for someone who cannot do so for himself or herself. Help an elderly neighbor put his or her trash to the curb. Our service does not have to be glamorous in order for it to be godly. We may not immediately notice the growth taking place in us as we serve, but we can be sure that it is happening. We may go unnoticed by those we serve, and that is okay, too, because God sees (Hebrews 6:10). The approval of God is more important than the applause and recognition of men. As we have the opportunity, let us make it our habit to do good to everyone (Galatians 6:10; Acts 10:38). We grow as Christians as we become less focused on ourselves and more focused on how we can please God and serve our fellow man (Galatians 5:14). Our faith will grow to unite our faith with works. Faith without works is dead, but faith with works is alive and thriving (James 2:26).
Pray Deeper Prayers
Christians know that prayer is an indispensable weapon that God grants us in our spiritual warfare in this world. We are to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and to be watchful in prayer (1 Peter 4:7). Jesus commanded us to pray and never to lose heart (Luke 18:1). Notice in the book of Ephesians the prayers that Paul offered up for the church and how we could all grow in this area (Ephesians 1:15-19; 3:14-21).There is nothing wrong with praying about the same things, but the more we study the Word and serve others, our prayer lives will transform. We will realize there are things that should be mentioned in our prayers but were not before. We will find ourselves praying for more opportunities to be used as vessels for God. Notice the things the Holy Spirit thought necessary to include in the Word of God, such as the boldness, variety and frequency that marks the prayers voiced by David, Paul, Moses and Christ. Those of us who are growing as Christians are praying to the same God to Whom we have always prayed but not in the same way we have always prayed to Him. We will grow as Christians when we read and study the prayers offered and preserved in Scripture.
Do not remain stagnant as a Christian. Do not settle for mediocrity or the status quo. Let us be those who challenge ourselves and each other to grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord. Jesus was perfect, and yet He grew (Luke 2:52). As those striving to be like Him, may we resolve to do the same.
