Spiritual Growth
What do you mean by the term, “spiritual growth?”
Some like to use the term, “sanctification” as a synonym for “spiritual growth.”
What is the problem with that definition?
I Cor. 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified (G37) in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
I Cor. 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified (G37), but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
G37 --- QãéÜæù --- hagiazoô --- hag-ee-ad'-zo --- From G40; to make holy, that is, (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate:—hallow, be holy, sanctify.
Let’s suppose that there is such a thing as spiritual growth.
Accepting that assumption ---- when would spiritual growth begin?
Spiritual growth would not begin until we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, become “born again.”
Suppose that spiritual growth is achieved similarly to physical growth ...
Physical - Other than basic food and etc., we have no control over it
- These (items needed for growth) are usually supplied by others
b. We are dependent on them (higher powers)
Matt. 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Hosea 14:7 They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.
Isa. 17:11 In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to flourish: but the harvest shall be a heap in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow.
Psa. 92:12 The righteous shall flourish (bud, grow) like the palm tree: he shall grow (enlarge, grow) like a cedar in Lebanon. 13 Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;
Spiritual -
Gal 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect (accomplish, complete) by the flesh?
- What does this verse say to you?
Do you come to God on the basis of your performance (which is as filthy rags) or on the basis of His performance of mercy and grace?
Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Was your relationship with Christ established through His initiative or yours?
Rom 3:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
Is it going to be continued any differently?
Col 2:19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth (auxano) with the increase (auxesis) of God.
837. auxano, owx-an'-o; a prolonged form of a prim. verb; to grow ("wax"), i.e. enlarge (lit. or fig., act. or pass.):--grow (up), (give the) increase.
838. auxesis, owx'-ay-sis; from G837; growth:--increase
These verses show that our spiritual maturity is accomplished by the Holy Spirit and not by any action of our flesh. While prayer, Bible study, church worship and etc. have a role and should be done, the actual maturing occurs independently of them. We must not confuse spiritual growth with the maturation of the soul (mind, will and emotions).
It also means that spiritual growth is NOT the result of an act of our will.
We have Christ’s mind but we do not always use it.
1 Cor. 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
How can we measure or observe spiritual growth?
Since we are talking about something spiritual, which by definition is invisible, we cannot directly observe its growth but perhaps we can have a feel for it.
The best measure of our spirituality is our relationships. Christ said that the two greatest commandments were about relationships.
Matt. 22:36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
I John 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
E. Dixon Murrah
September 30, 2004
(Rev. July 1, 2007)
