Discerning spiritual growth

In our salvation plan made by God, He has made it one of the prerequisites that we all contribute to the growth of other believers while we ourselves continue to expand in our knowledge and love of God.

To achieve this, it is imperative that we follow the command of Jesus Christ in Matthew 28, instructing us to ensure that other people come into the light of the knowledge of God and, more importantly, that they are co-opted into being disciples of Christ by the illumination of God’s word. 1 Timothy 1:2.

As much as our lives get fully transformed spiritually upon accepting Jesus Christ and His redemptive work, it is not enough effort on our part if we do not follow the instruction of recruiting more men to the mission of saving the world. It is important that every believer is a disciple, and makes even more disciples for the cause Christ died for.

Raising others requires a stature of your own

Raising other men to grow in Christ requires us attaining a certain stature as well. This comes by learning, studying, and being one who lives a life that is all about what the Scriptures teach about Christ and the testimonies the Gospels preach.

Therefore the primary responsibility of everyone who has enjoyed the grace of salvation is to commit themselves to learning all there is to learn about that salvation. Philemon 1:6.

As much as every believer is expected to be a student of the word of God, the same expectation is shown in the need for them to be well equipped to teach and preach the word at all times, towards ensuring the kingdom of God grows exponentially.

Being a baby is not the problem

Being a baby in Christ is of no negative implication or reputation, as it may imply that the believer in discussion exhibits a genuine desire for the word of God. It only implies the level of readiness, maturity, wisdom, patience and knowledge such a believer has.

There is no alteration in the status of their salvation, but only a safeguard as to what kind of assignments and responsibilities such a person can shoulder. However, everyone should continue to desire the word of God, because only through that can we grow. All there is for nourishing our spirit is embedded in the word of God, which can be revealed to us and even better understood through the help of discipleship in the body of Christ. Our maturity, our perfection, is dependent on the word of God.

Chasing after knowledge, and even the knowledge of the word of God, helps one gain spiritual stamina, helps one wean away ignorance, and ultimately brings one to a mature stature wherein confidence and faith thrive.

Spiritual maturity, attainable only by studying the word of God and more effectively achieved through discipleship, teaching and exemplary leadership, factors into a lot of decisions made by such a believer. Secular and spiritual decisions both, as well as the conducts and feats a believer associates with. 1 Corinthians 13:11.

Growth is learned

It is important to know that we have to learn how to grow. Although our salvation is by faith, our growth is largely dependent on learning. Our learning is dependent on who teaches. Who teaches is dependent on discipleship in the body of Christ.

The process of learning is continual and sits right at the core of our calling as believers. The transformation we get is a product of the spiritual formation that now gives birth to our growth through deliberate learning. Hence, maturity is the product of our learning.

We should be people who put our strengths into the right things, paying attention to the things that matter. The things that actually matter in life concern spiritual things, and all spiritual things were given for our growth in the faith. The kinds of things and causes we pay our life’s attention to can tell how much we have grown, and how much we have committed to the demands of our spiritual maturity. 1 Corinthians 14:20.

It is profitable to be children when it comes to things that are not spiritually profiting, rather than to practise them and be stunted in the things of the Spirit and the understanding of them. It pays to grow unto maturity in spiritual things. Only sound doctrine can replace the negative excesses challenging our spiritual growth. 1 Corinthians 3:1 to 2.

Correction is part of it

It pays to focus on the things that make one mature unto being men in Christ, rather than children or carnality-infused hearts. Being saved, you should not be known after the flesh but by the Spirit, putting an end to carnality.

The learning process unto growth does not exclude chastisement. Correction and instruction are not far from the demands of doctrine for growth. Proverbs 22:15.

Being saved does not remove the possibility of carnality. What helps to transform one from that toddler stage is knowledge-based growth through Christian discipleship. Until then, discernment and wisdom may be scarcely evident. Bearing in mind that seeming growth does not imply spiritual growth. Unless it is hypocrisy, spiritual growth demands training and accountability. Proverbs 29:15.

We have to become what we learn, such that it becomes everything that we are all about. Only then can we say we have grown, or are growing. Bearing in mind that growth is not a creation of new spiritual features, but a working out of the things God has built in us and within us. A calling forth of what we already have the ability to do.

Wisdom comes only from the word of God, given by God’s inspiration, thereby yielding growth. 2 Timothy 3:15.