By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
See yourself in the light of His word
Placeholder Image
The older one gets and the more one tries to do, the more the  years seem to fly by. From time to time we need to reflect on what is going on in our lives. Most will do this about school, jobs, finances, etc., and it is good to do those things. But let us not forget to look at our spiritual well being.
Are we growing spiritually older as we become physically older?  We have to purchase different clothes as we grow physically, but if we had to “dress” our souls; would we need to increase the size of that set of clothes? Peter wrote that we need to grow spiritually.  “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18). How much spiritual food have we “digested”? Hopefully a good portion of “the word” is taken in and is helping us grow as children of God.
If we are growing as Christians then we should be able to tell a difference in ourselves over past years. It may be that we know more verses of scripture than we did before, or perhaps we now have a handle on more subjects that are discussed in the Bible. Hopefully we have developed a greater love and concern for lost souls round about us. Perhaps we have grown so much that we realize the need to use the knowledge and wisdom acquired by teaching a class or conducting personal Bible classes. There are so many ways to grow as a Christian.
Are we stronger spiritually? Strength is something that has to be acquired, it does not just happen. The Lord need those who are strong and who are willing to stand firm on His word, not willing to compromise with the world or with those in the Church who would depart from the truth. “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong (I Cor. 16:13). The stronger we become the easier we will find living the life of a true follower of God.
How can we determine these things about our souls? First we have to be honest with ourselves. We know and God knows whether or not we are increasing or decreasing spiritually. Second we have God’s word to show us how we ought to be and where we need to improve. Everyone has room for improvement, but are we diligently working to improve? The Hebrew writer told of a people who had failed to grow properly, “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat” (Heb. 5:12).
As we look at ourselves we may not be as happy with our growth spiritually as we would like. If that is the case then we need to get the determination and desire to grow stronger as a Christian. We all need to think as did the apostle Paul, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13).
Sign up for our E-Newsletters