EARLY in the year over the years I have always put out something on spiritual growth. This year is no exception. Christians are fired up in January with prayer and fasting for some, catchy church (read denomination or ministry) and New Year resolutions. Sometimes the fire fizzles out before the year ends or even by mid-year. Such type of Christianity is frustrating. We must enjoy the fire and joy of salvation from the moment we are born again every day. Christianity without spiritual growth is choking.
By being born again, God the Father has invited us to a table availed by the finished work of Christ where Grace meal is served 24/7. That table has no condemnation. It offers healing and health, peace during storms, supply for needs, wipes for sorrow and grief. The list is endless. Spiritual growth keeps us spiritually energised, ready for the issues of this life. This is an introduction to our spiritual growth series with another instalment coming next week.
Previously, we asked whether we should measure spiritual growth by increase in the number of congregants or miracles, signs and wonders. Is more prayer, more fasting, more giving, speaking in more tongues or more prophesying the only and real indicators for spiritual growth? While these may indicate there is growth, spiritual growth covers other aspects as well.
Defining the word grow will help in understanding spiritual growth. The dictionary defines the word grow as to increase in size by a natural process. It also means to expand, gain, increase in amount or degree, intensify, develop and reach maturity.
To grow entails becoming gradually more evident and become an adult. Growth, therefore, involves many things in a process that carries you from small to big, young to adult and childhood to maturity. Growth should be a nature in you that is cultivated through a disciplined lifestyle and positive and right choices. Mindset has to change as well as language and who to hang around with.
Let us start from the basics. To talk of spiritual growth, you have to be a spiritual being through a process Jesus lays out to Nicodemus. The first port of call is to enter the kingdom of God by being born again according to the format of Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus in John 3:3-6, “[3] Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. [4] Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? [5] Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. [6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
If you are not born again you cannot spiritually grow. It is simple; you cannot grow if you are not in existence in that realm. After becoming a spiritual being you have to grow through food intake according to what you can handle. Paul teaches the Corinthian church that the food is given in relation to age. 1 Corinthians 3:2 reads: “I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.” While we minister the full counsel of God we do so avoiding suffocation of hearers and readers.
There is food for the young and different dishes for the adult. Hebrews 5:13-14 concurs: “[13] For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. [14] But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Growth depends on what you take in and how you take it.
- devotion column: Grace meal and spiritual growth
Keep Reading
Outward manifestation will be a result of this. If not properly executed you can develop bulging tummy. Ever noticed misfiring or loose canons purporting to defend the Gospel yet they’re religious apparatchiks?
In explaining growth, I always use the example that they taught us in grade one that one minus two it can’t but in higher grades the answer becomes minus one. There has to be a systematic teaching of the Word of God so that you do not suffocate the congregation. Some nutritious food may turn out to be poison if not administered wisely. 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 teaches that there are certain issues that are prudent to certain dispositions but may be controversy in other settings.
The word of God, therefore, has to be meticulously handled to bring out positive results. Proper methods of interpretation of Scripture should be employed and the Bible applied correctly. As you grow spiritually, the list in Galatians 5:19-21 should find no place in your life. It reads: “[19] Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these ; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, [20] Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, [21] Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
You should mould your life according to the teaching of Galatians 5:22-23 which says: “[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Refuse to remain stagnant; get the right food for spiritual growth. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Grace and peace be multiplied to you through knowledge.
- All Bible quotations are from the King James Version unless otherwise stated.
- Fellowship with Pastor Makarimayi on Facebook and on www.twitter.com/PEMAKARIMAYI.
