Spiritual growth isn't an attempt to earn God’s favour. We have His acceptance in Christ Jesus. It is not a pursuit of justification. It is freely given in Christ. Neither is it to guarantee our salvation, this is done ONLY by Jesus Himself.
Ephesians 1: 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Romans 5: 17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 7: 25 Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them.
This is settled. Let us distinguish Spiritual growth from what it is not.
The Work of Salvation proceeds from Grace. By Grace we are saved (Ephesians 2: 8-9). Then we can fall into the error of thinking that's all the help we get that now Spiritual growth is in our efforts to ensure we live right! How we have been wrong.
NO MAN CAN LIVE THE CHRISTIAN LIFE!
IT IS RECEIVED!
Philippians 2: 12... work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
He gives an instruction to work out (not work for) your salvation. He yet places emphasis on God working in us to do God’s will and pleasure.
God working in us is Christ working in us.
Christ in us (Colossians 1:27) is the indwelling of the Spirit.
Romans 8: 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Christ in us is the secret of Christian Living.
We are NOT to live for Him. He is to live through us
The issue here is how?
Paul again answers this:
Colossians 2: 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him.
How was Christ received? By the Word! His finished work! That's the way to walk in Him.
We must feed on Him! Hence He works and walks though us.
2 Corinthians 3: 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.
It’s not in our power. We are not self-sufficient ... We are God sufficient, God-reliant!
This means Christ-within dependent.
As I focus on the Word, I focus on Christ and Christ functions through me.
Hence Spiritual growth is a function primarily of Knowledge.
Let’s view the work of Pastors and Ministers in this regard.
Ephesians 4: 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
The Pastor (I use this as a general term for all ministers) is to mature saints. Thus he shouldn't be shell-shocked at immature behaviour or childish traits of believers. No child ceases to be human because of pranks or mischief. Hence no believer should be "de-Christianed" based on his indiscreet, unbecoming conduct. I digress.
The food is the Unity of the faith. This isn't a collective unity of Christian churches. The unity of the faith is the ONENESS OF BELIEF. This unity is Christ!
The meal is the Knowledge of the Son- Christ.
The Perfect man- Christ.
This is the measure of the Fullness of Christ.
With these he won’t be tossed about and carried by every new move in the church world.
Many have no doctrinal footing. They know success-motivation from the world. They have built models from business empires. The pastors must retrace their steps. To see growth, you teach CHRIST alone!
There's a further danger in teaching the law of Moses. This CAN NEVER produce growth. It will only cause an inflammation which is often taken as growth.
When we feed on Christ, we grow up into Him!
Hence His word is given different concepts.
Romans 10:8, the word of Faith. He is the author and finisher of faith (Hebrews 12:2). Faith comes by hearing Him (Romans 10:17).
It is referred to as the Word of Grace (Acts 20: 28). He is Grace(Titus 2:11). Grace is no doctrine (same with faith). It is a Person.
It is called the Word of Life- 1 John 1: 1-3. He is Life.
The Doctrine of Righteousness- Hebrews 5:14. He is our Righteousness.
Spiritual Growth starts when we look in His Word, focus on Him and Not us.
As we focus on the Word, The Word focuses on US!
Then we aren't just positionally changed but conditionally changed and transformed.
Blessed? Say I focus on the Word and allow the word of Christ to work through my life, I grow up in Him!
Jesus is lord ,We win!
~ Pastor Onayinka Olusegun
