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Written by Mike W. Boston, Sr
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There’s no Real Life Without ItLife by its very definition is a growth process That which is alive is growing. For example, seedlings grow to be trees, in some cases to heights of several hundred feet. Even when they reach their full height, they exhibit regular growth through the production of new leaves, branches, or fruit. This same principle of growth also holds true in the spiritual realm.
Spiritual Growth Is Mandatory There is nothing more disappointing than a believer who refuses to develop or grow in their faith. Spiritual growth is a command, not an option, as God’s Word demonstrates.
Biblical & Experiential Knowledge (2 Peter 3:18). The Lord works His will in our lives through the challenges of life, both easy and difficult.
The Reflection of God’s Glory (2 Cor.3:18). Scripture is the mirror that we must faithfully look into.
Progression is Expected (2 Cor.13:9; Gal.4:19; Eph.4:13; Phil.3:13-14). There is no middle ground, no place of neutrality—we are either growing spiritually or we are regressing. The price for regressing is inevitably that we have to regain spiritual ground—ground that we once gained but now have lost. Therefore we should obey Paul’s words to Timothy (1 Tim.6:11).
Scripture’s Key to Growth
The first work the Word does is bring believers to salvation (Ps.19:7; Mark 4:14-20; John 5:24,39; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23). The truth of Scripture, when mixed with faith in Christ and energized by the Holy Spirit, leads to eternal life. Paul asked the Romans, “How shall they [unbelievers] hear without a preacher?” (Rom.10:14) and later explained that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ” (v.17).
Scripture’s Role in Salvation (2 Tim.3:15).
Scripture’s Role in Teaching (2 Tim.3:16).
Scripture’s Role in Reproof (2 Tim.3:16; Acts 20:26,31 John 15:2 Prov. 6:23).
Scripture’s Role in Correction (2 Tim.3:16, Heb.12:11).
Scripture’s Role in Training in Righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Tim.2:15; Eph. 6:14-17). We need to carefully and accurately use Scripture to deal with each and every temptation or trial form the world (Ps.119:9-11; Col.3:16).
We must desire Scripture and teach those we lead to desire it the way a baby longs for milk. In the Greek, the term translated “long for” means an intense, recurring craving, and that’s how babies will express their desire for milk. They don’t care if it’s from a bottle or directly from Mom, what color their room is, or even what time of day it is—they just want milk, and if they don’t get it soon enough, they scream and cry. Believers should have that same kind of single-minded craving for the Word of God (which will produce godly growth).
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