Christians grow in their faith as they would grow in any other endeavor. Jesus tells us, “For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him” (Matthew 13:12).
As an illustration of this verse, I can read a book straight through on how to build a boat. But if I don’t actually build a boat, I will not grow in that area. If I continue to read books one after another without applying what I read, I’ll forget what I’ve read earlier. Remember what Jesus said – to those who have, more will be given. The Lord is always looking for people who will respond to his word in obedience (2 Chronicles 16:9). To such people, God increases responsibilities and opportunities for further growth. To those who merely hear and do nothing, even what they have heard will be forgotten.
Another example: I wanted to grow as a calligrapher, so I spent several hours a day practicing. Sure enough, my beautiful writing improved dramatically and friends began requesting wedding invitations. Also, I wanted to grow in my understanding of the word, so I read it often, studied the context of each passage, and put the teachings into practice. This increased my understanding dramatically – reading much enlarged my grasp of many Scripture topics, and practicing what I read deepened my appreciation for the spiritual laws behind the teachings. “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (2 Peter 2:2).
As with any other area of growth, we grow by following the rules laid down in the scriptures about the trait. For instance, 2 Peter 3:18 tells us to “grow” in grace. How do we grow in grace? Here’s a rule I found: Paul boasted of his weaknesses so that God’s grace may be experienced (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). So if we wish to grow in grace, then we acknowledge our weakness and obey anyway, trusting the Lord to provide. (Normally, our weaknesses are grounds for excuses to keep from responding!) When we find God providing the missing strength, courage, ability, or whatever the weakness is, then we’ll grow in grace as we cast away our excuses, and pursue his will. Following the rules for faith or any other spiritual trait will pay dividends.
Paul was saddened by the lack of growth he found in a church. He wrote of them, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food” (Hebrews 5:12). The Parable of the Sower tells us why many church members remain spiritually immature for years even when they are hearing the faithful word: because they spend more time pursuing their interests in the world than pursuing the things of God (Matthew 13:22).
Paul continues, “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews (5:14). We don’t grow up automatically like when we physically age, but spiritual growth occurs for those ‘by reason of use” – they are putting their faith into practice.
We grow in prayer and praise, understanding God’s word, in love and patience, and in many other Christian virtues the same way we improve in any other endeavor. Just because they are spiritual disciplines does not mean that the rules of growth are different than in the world.
How important is growth? Second Peter 1:8-11 tells us that ongoing growth is proof that we have left our sins behind and are not shortsighted (1:9), we show full proof that we are of those whom God had called (1:10), we protect ourselves from stumbling (1:10), and in the end, God will provide us an exuberant welcome into the kingdom of Jesus Christ.
What Do You Think?
a. If you work hard at something, shouldn’t you expect to grow in it? Why shouldn’t this work with spiritual traits as well?
b. If campuses award special recognition to those who have increased their knowledge and participation in the campus, should not Christ do the same for his disciples who have grown in their abilities and character? See Matthew 25:14-30.
