THE IMPORTANCE OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH TO THE CHRISTIAN

At the end of this chapter, each member should understand:

1. The importance of spiritual growth to the Christian, and have knowledge of the indicators of spiritual growth.
2. What grace is, and what it means to grow in grace.

“Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” 2 Peter 3:17-18

Every Christian must work on growing; your spiritual growth as a Christian cannot be overemphasized. It’s important to be conscious that you are growing and making progress in your spiritual life. Growth is neither an accident nor a miracle, but it is attained through the application of revealed principles and means.

There are indicators to show you are growing in your Christian life. In your physical body, for example, you may not see actual growth take place, but you do see the results – for example, the size of shoes and clothes you wear change overtime; these are indicators of your physical growth. In the same way also, in the spirit there are indicators to show that you are growing.

Indicators of spiritual growth

Below are some indicators that reveal spiritual growth:

1. Are you more excited about the Word today than you used to be?
2. Are you happy to be associated with your brethren?
3. Are you demonstrating more love towards the brethren? Demonstrated love is one of the ways to know if you are growing, stagnant, or moving backwards.
4. Do you find fewer faults and mistakes with the brethren?
5. Do you see the brethren as being more perfect?

It is vital to use the indicators of God’s Word to guide yourself, because the more you grow, the less of the faults, mistakes and imperfections you’ll find in others. You’ll notice that you are full of love for the brethren and that all their wrongs are somewhat non-existent to you. The Bible says, “We know that we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren…” (I John 3 v 14).

The more you grow, the more perfect you find others to be, and the less of their imperfections you see. This means the less faults and mistakes you see in the brethren, the more growth you are experiencing; but the more faults you find in the brethren, the less growth you are experiencing, because you are not giving yourself to the Word of God.