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4 Ways to Grow Spiritually

July 29, 2019      Christian Living      Leave a Comment

Why We Must Grow Spiritually

Growing Spiritual is one of the main reasons we are on earth. Salvation is just the beginning. By faith and through the Finished Work of Jesus on the Cross, we have been made perfect and holy in God’s eyes. Jesus has taken our sin, and we receive His righteousness. However, God wants to work the supernatural righteousness into all the natural parts of our life. God desires to mold us into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3.18).

This earth is like a womb where we grow in our faith. We are becoming the people we will be for eternity. God gives us promises that stretch and mature us. As we achieve our destiny, we realize that we have transformed into the best design that God had in mind when He created us. God has placed purpose deep within us. As we walk in our purpose, we will experience spiritual growth.

“for He delivered us and saved us and called us with a holy calling [a calling that leads to a consecrated life—a life set apart—a life of purpose], not because of our works [or because of any personal merit—we could do nothing to earn this], but because of His own purpose and grace [His amazing, undeserved favor] which was granted to us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago]” (1 Timothy 1.9 AMP).

4 Ways We Grow Spiritually

God has designed us. He gives us strengths that help of achieve our destiny in Him. He gives us weaknesses that help us achieve our intimacy with Him. Our weaknesses motivate us to rely on God (2 Corinthians 12.9). Our troubles remind us that we need Him (2 Corinthians 1.9).

God grows us spiritually by stretching our character and capacity. We are like earthen vessels that can be filled with His glory (2 Corinthians 4.7). The wider our borders, the more He can fill us and our lives with His presence. However, the devil will try to sabotage our borders by looking for weaknesses. Therefore, spiritual growth also includes taking spiritual inventory.

Growing Spiritually Way 1: Stretch

God stretches us by allowing us to grow through difficulty. He places promises in our heart that we are unable to achieve without maturing in faith. As we chase these promises, our capacity begins to expand and we begin to grow spiritually.

“Enlarge your house; build an addition. Spread out your home, and spare no expense!” (Isaiah 54.2 NLT). 

Growing Spiritually Way 2: Inspect

As God extends our capacity, we must then inspect. We can objectively look at both our strengths and weaknesses. We don’t have to feel guilty or defensive. God is not trying to shame us. He wants to empower us in all areas.

“Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith” (2 Corinthians 13.5 NLT).

Growing Spiritually Way 3: Erect

Once we inspect, we can flag any areas of weakness. Satan loves to find ways to attack us and sabotage what God’s doing in our lives (1 Peter 5.8 NLT). We have to see our weaknesses first before we can insulate them with Christ’s power. Once we flag all the weak areas, we can erect Jesus as our defense in those areas.

“Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me” (2 Corinthians 12.9 NLT).

Growing Spiritually Way 4: Rest

Finally, we must rest in the Lord. God loves when we depend and lean on Him. He has an abundance of love, provision, healing, peace and rest to give us. No matter how much we grow spiritually, God always wants us to rely on Him.

“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest'” (Matthew 11.28 NLT). 

 

Now we can be strong in Christ knowing that our strengths are submitted to Him and our weaknesses defended by Him.

 

To read more about how to rely on Jesus’ strength, read Our 6 His 7: Transformed by Sabbath Rest!

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Alisa Hope Wagner is a modern day anchorite writing words of inspiration and imagination. Read More…

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