The Growing Life

Paul prays for growth in Philippians, Colossians, and Ephesians

"The Growing Life"

Author Unknown

And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ.

1 Corinthians 3:1

It is a tragedy when a child never grows up.  The tragedy is that there are those who fail to grow up spiritually. Many Christians remain infants in Christ.  However, there are ways to grow in love, true knowledge, and perfect judgment.

One way to have a growing life is by allowing the Holy Spirit to fill your life and give you power.  In   Ephesians 5:18, we are instructed to be filled with the Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is to be everything to disciples that Jesus was while He was on earth.  Furthermore, Galatians 5:16 states that we are to walk by the Spirit so we will not carry out the desire of the flesh.  

The Holy Spirit is:

  Your friend - "You are My friends if you do what I command you. John 15:14

  Your guide and teacher - "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. John 14:26

   Your director - While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Acts 13:2

  Your assurance of Salvation - In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation -having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, Ephesians 1:13

 Your partner in prayer - In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-27

Your source of power - that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, Ephesians 3:16.

Why are we so reluctant to allow the Holy Spirit to fill our lives and give us power?  

A growing life can be accomplished by keeping His commands.

"If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. - John 14:15

"He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him." John 14:21

Most commands are to love people and to evangelize.

Another way to have a growing life is by following Christ in Baptism and serving Him in fellowship with believers.

So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:41-42

As Believers, we should be baptized and share together in worship, prayer, fellowship, and witnessing. 

Your life in Christ will grow by daily Prayer and the study of God's Word.

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.' “Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, 'HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU'; and 'ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.' “Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, 'YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.' “Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, "All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me."  Then Jesus said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.' Matthew 4:1-10

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

You can grow by being a faithful manager of all the gifts God gives to you.

In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.1 Corinthians 4:2

It is required of stewards that a man be found faithful.

As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:10

You will grow as you share your faith by your life and your words. 

but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."  Acts 1:8.

Can others tell that you're different?

Do others hear from your lips what Jesus Christ has done for you?

There is no road to Spiritual growth that neglects your personal witness for Jesus Christ.