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Are we really growing as Christians?
pastor corner

How is your soul growing so far this year? 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 forever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18).

We realize that our physical bodies grow because of the food we enjoy each day, but how much spiritual food are we taking in and how is it being “digested?” Hopefully a good portion of “the word” is being taken in and helping us to grow as children of God.

If we are growing as Christians, then we should be able to tell a difference in ourselves. 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 are growing so much that we realize the need to use the knowledge and wisdom acquired by teaching others. There are so many ways to grow as a Christian.

Are we stronger spiritually now than we were at the beginning of the year? Strength is something that must 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.

It is a terrible thing when a Christian fails to grow. The Hebrew writer spoke of this problem (Heb. 5:12-14). It is one of the joys of being a Christian to impart knowledge others, to share the blessings of being a child of God with friends and family, that is one reason it is so important to work at growing spiritually.

Just as a baby must receive nourishment, so must a babe in Christ receive nourishment. This comes from feeding upon the word of God. “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2).

Feeding upon spiritual food enables us to discern between that which is good and that which is bad. The babe begins to grow, becoming able to partake of more solid food. The new Christian moves beyond the fundamentals of Christianity and is able to “digest” more of the word. This process causes the Christian to realize more and more responsibility as a child 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 have increased or decreased spiritually over the past year.

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 did we diligently work to improve this year?

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 go through life we need to always remember Peter’s words: ““But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18).

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