"The Disciple's Heart: Spiritual Growth" (Part One) Series

The Apostle Paul wrote the second letter to the Corinthians for the purpose of defending his apostleship. It seems that there was a group of false teachers in Corinth who were seeking a following among the people. In the effort to get others to follow them, they used the tactic of denouncing and belittling the apostolic authority of Paul. One of the accusations they leveled at the apostle was that he "lived by the standards of the world" (v. 2). In response, Paul countered that the entire focus of his ministry was not directed toward those things that are outward, but on those that are inward. As Paul declared to the Ephesians, he recognized that his "struggle was not against flesh and blood" (Ephesians 6:12), but that it was a spiritual warfare he was engaged in. He reminds the Corinthians in verses 3 through 5 that his was a ministry focused on changing the hearts, and thus, the lives, of men and women by the power of Christ. However, with "tongue in cheek," Paul does say that once the Corinthians came to their senses and were ready to once again embrace him as a true servant of God, he would gladly come to Corinth to "punish every act of disobedience" (v. 6) - a reference to his dealing with the false teachers who were seeking to draw them astray.

All this having been said, I want us to focus in on what Paul says in verses 3-5, because there, he describes what process that needs to take place in the life of the believer to see them grow spiritually and become more like Jesus. Paul describes here what the Lord wants to do in the heart of His children.

Concerning the heart, the Bible tells us, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do." ~ Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)

The process of discipleship-the process of spiritual growth, whereby I become more like Jesus-is a matter of the heart. If the way I live is going to be changed, then that change must happen in my heart.

1. A disciple is one who has allowed Christ to touch their heart -

This is where living a changed life must start, with allowing Christ to touch my heart, for life was designed by God to be lived from the inside out, not the outside in. This was the point Jesus made with the religious leaders of His day:

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also."

~ Matthew 23:25-26 (NASB)

"He replied, ‘Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me."’"

~ Mark 7:6 (NIV)

When God works to change the life of a person, He begins by touching their heart. It might be helpful at this point to understand the way man was originally made by God. The Bible tells us that man was created with three aspects to his being:

"And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground (body), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (spirit); and man became a living soul (soul)." ~ Genesis 2:7 (KJV)

"May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together--spirit, soul, and body--and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ." ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (The Message)

Man was created with a body-a physical being.

Man’s body was the means whereby he was conscious of his world.

Because he was created physically perfect, man was healthy.

2) Man was created with a soul-a psychological being. Man could think with his mind, feel with his emotions, and choose with his will.

Man’s soul was the means whereby he was conscious of himself.

Because he was created psychologically perfect, man was happy.

3) Man was created with a spirit-a spiritual being.

Man’s spirit was the means whereby he was conscious of his God.

Because he was created spiritually perfect, man was holy.

As man communed with God, he was influenced by God’s Word, which led him to think as he ought to think, fell as he ought to feel, choose as he ought to choose, and live as he ought to live. Because of his perfect communion with God, man could live as God designed him to live, and thus lead all of creation to bring glory to God.

However, God did not create man to live as an automaton, blindly carrying out the will of his creator. God desired that man be a willing servant, not a mindless slave. God desired to have a love relationship with man; and we all know that love that is not freely given is not love at all.