1.The Priority of Spiritual Growth
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. 1 Peter 2:2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
Peter begins this letter with a summary statement of the same instruction with which he began it (1:2–11) to pursuing Christian maturity/growth and a desire for them to deepen their knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ will lead to doctrinal stability and prevent a Christian from being led astray.
Illustration: A group of tourists were traveling through Europe visiting historical sites. They were impressed that so many small villages were the birthplaces of great artists, poets, composers, and political leaders. While the group was strolling through a particularly picturesque village, one of the tourists approached a man who was sitting in front of a building and asked, “Excuse me, but...were any great men or women born in this village?” The old man thought for a moment and replied, “No. Only great babies!”
You may be tempted why do I need to grow. Well Peter tells us here in verse 18 that God be glorified in our lives. This is a command by God to grow not a suggestion. Every one of us starts off as a baby—with the opportunity to grow into greatness. This is true not only in the world but also in the kingdom of God. When we become Christians, we are “born again” as “babies in Christ.” We have to grow.
The writer of the Book of Hebrews rebukes Christians who did not grow in their faith;
Hebrews 5:12-14 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! [13] Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. [14] But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Every believer is to be a teacher (Col. 3:16; 1 Pet. 3:15; cf. Deut. 6:7; 2 Tim. 3:15).
Col. 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
If these Hebrews had really obeyed the gospel of Christ, they would have been passing that message on to others. Knowledge without obedience does not advance a person. This Hebrews were regressing in their understanding concerning the Messiah. They had long enough been exposed to the gospel to be teaching it to others, but were babies, too infantile and unskilled to comprehend, let alone teach, the truth of God.
2. The Definition of Spiritual Growth
Before I tell you what’s is Spiritual growth, first let me tell you what is not; It is not mystical, sentimental, devotional, or psychological. It’s not a result of some clever secret or formula.
Spiritual Growth is simply matching your practice with your position.
3. 6 Reminders that Keeps us on Track
Reminder # 1 = Spiritual Growth has Nothing to do with our Position in Christ – A person doesn’t grow into a Christian @ conversion. It’s not an instantaneous miracle. When God sees us in our sinful nature, He sees Christ in us “perfect.”
Col. 2:10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.
Positionally we are perfect, practically however we fall short and growth is the process by which is true of us positionally becomes more and more a reality in practice as well. We need to match our position.
Reminder # 2 = Spiritual Growth has nothing to do with God’s Love. God doesn’t like us better the more spiritual we become (or religious we become) I have heard parents tell their children “If you don’t behave, the Lord won’t like you.” How ridiculous? God’s love for us is not conditional upon our behavior.
Romans 5:6-10 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. [7] Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. [8] But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! [10] For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
Even when we were helpless, ungodly, sinners, enemies, God said
Romans 8:31-35 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? [33] Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. [34] Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
Reminder # 3 = Spiritual Growth has nothing to do with Bible Knowledge – Facts, data, information, and intelligence cannot be compared with Spiritual Maturity. Truth that fails to change your life and behavior may in fact be harmful, hardening you instead of bringing you to maturity.
Reminder # 4 = Spiritual Growth has nothing to do with Activity – Some people think they have grown spiritually if they have served on a committee, sung in the choir or been otherwise active in the church. They assume that if they’re busy , they must be spiritual.
Matthew 7:22-23 Many will say to me on that day, ’Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ [23] Then I will tell them plainly, ’I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Being busy doesn’t even result in salvation, let alone maturity.
Reminder # 5 = Spiritual Growth has nothing to do with Time – Maturity in the spiritual realm is not measured by the calendar. It is possible for a person to be a Christian for half a century and yet remain a spiritual infant.
Reminder # 6 = Spiritual Growth has nothing to do with Prosperity – Many people think they have grown because of their economic situation with a favor from God. If they possess much, they think god has blessed them because they are such wonderful Christians.
Conclusion:
Spiritual Growth is critical: Call it what you will
Pursue Righteousness - 1 Tim. 6:11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
Being Transformed - Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Perfecting In Holiness - 2 Cor. 7:1 Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
Pressing Toward the Goal - Philip. 3:14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Being Built up in the Faith - Col. 2:7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
The goal is the same for every Christian to be - 2 Cor. 3:18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
