Growing is Fundamental

“Growth is a fundamental aspect of life. We begin to grow and develop physically, mentally, and emotionally from the moment we are born,” wrote author, speaker, and host of the podcast Passion Struck, John R. Miles. “As we progress through life, we seek new experiences and challenges that help us grow and develop as individuals.”

In addition to the areas Miles mentioned, God also wants us to grow spiritually. This is necessary to becoming a well rounded person, to achieve your purpose in life, and to reach your full potential.

The Bible says that “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Lk. 2:52).

Other translations render the verb “grew” as “increased.” The NASU translated it “kept increasing,” which suggests continued action. The word means “to advance.” “To proceed.” “To drive forward.”

This statement was made when Jesus was 12 years old. And was made following Jesus’ pronouncement to his mother, Mary, “I must be about My Father’s business.” So, for the next 21 -½ years Jesus continued to grow not only physically, but mentally, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.

Growing is not only fundamental, but we must grow in the fundamentals of faith.

Consider these 10 questions regarding your growth.

#1 Are you growing in your relationship with God? Do you feel closer? More connected? With a deeper love? (Matt. 22:37-38)

#2 Is your prayer life stronger? More personal? Deeply transparent? (Jas. 5:16)

#3 Has worship moved beyond a place you go, to something you participate in? Something you experience? Is worship more God centered and Christ focused? (Jn. 4:23-24)

#4 Is discipleship a daily process?  Is Christianity demonstrated in your home? Work? Social interactions? Recreational activities? And decision making?

#5 Have you become more sensitive to sin? More aware of its consequences? Deeply remorseful for its affront to God? (Eph. 2:1-10)

#6 Are you becoming more grace oriented in your life? Seeing salvation impossible apart from God? Growing in grace? Admitting your inadequacy apart from God’s grace? (1 Cor. 15:10).

#7 Are you growing by producing the fruit of the spirit in your life? Love? Joy? Peace? Patience? Kindness? Goodness? Faithfulness? Gentleness? Self-Control? (Gal. 5:22-23).

#8 Are you adding to your faith moral excellence? Knowledge? Perseverance? Godliness? Brotherly kindness? (2 Pet. 1:5-9)

#9 Are you growing in your relationships with other people? Are you more loving? Compassionate? Forgiving? Helpful? (Matt. 7:12; Eph. 4:32).

#10 Is your hope becoming stronger? More heaven focused? Looking forward to going home with God? (Col. 1:5; 3:1-2)

While these 10 questions are not exclusive, nor should they be considered as a litmus test, they may well serve as an indicator of how much you’ve grown as a Christian. Or maybe failed to grow.

When we were younger developing from childhood to adolescence, there were times when we would revert into some silly, childish action. On such occasions, I can recall my Mom giving me a disgusted look, and simply saying, “Grow up!” She knew that I knew better. And was not behaving in a way commensurate with my age, knowledge, and understanding.

I wonder, if there may be times when God looks down on us with a feeling of disappointment and says, “Grow up!”

To that end the apostle Paul admonishes, “we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” (Eph. 4:15).

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman