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Checklist for Spiritual Growth |
Dear Brethren,
One
of the most common mistakes being made today by the brethren in
this Laodicean generation is the notion that "we've got it
made." It is plain to see that all too many of our brothers and
sisters have an attitude that is reflected this way: "After
all, God called me to be a member of His Church - "I have
arrived," and I am simply waiting for the Kingdom to
come." It seems as though many people act as though God just
went, “Poof!” and instilled all wisdom and righteousness within
them necessary for salvation, with nothing left to be achieved
on their part. Scripture tells us that we must learn how to
expand and develop within ourselves, the fruits of God's
Holy Spirit.
When we read in Revelation
that His end-time church is rich and increased with goods, God
is not speaking so much about the physical blessings that we are
enjoying, as He is speaking about a spiritual state of mind. God
is saying that we are far from being prepared and ready for the
Kingdom of God! We lack spiritual growth.
"Because thou sayest, I am
rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and
knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and
blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the
fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou
mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not
appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest
see." (Revelation 3:17-18)
Out of love, God has sent us a
direct warning, saying, "Growth is necessary – stagnation is
deadly." Too many brethren have learned, incorrectly, that God
simply bestows conversion and righteousness on an elect people,
instantly and without qualification. They were taught that God,
somehow, acts capriciously and confers, by command or
decree, positions of rank and high office on men, in order to
create an elite leadership over His people. God does not work
that way. Let's look at some Biblical examples of how spiritual
growth is gradual - but sure.
We see that John the Baptist
grew and matured
in God’s Spirit. God
does not give anyone instant knowledge, understanding,
wisdom, and Godly character – those attributes must be learned,
earnestly developed, and insistently cultivated, lest we develop
a “welfare mentality” of thinking everything is owed to us.
"The child [John
the Baptist] grew, and waxed strong in
spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his
shewing unto Israel." (Luke 1:80) And, almost the same
language is used to describe Jesus as He developed into a young
man. "The child grew, and waxed strong in spirit,
filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon Him...
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and
in favour with God and man." (Luke 2:40, 52) This also
describes how our spiritual growth is to take place -
continuously.
Since John the Baptist, the
greatest prophet that ever lived, and Jesus Christ, had to grow
and mature in the grace and knowledge of God – who are we to
neglect our opportunity to develop the fruits of God’s Holy
Spirit? We did not have these gifts bestowed on us all at once
when we were baptized. Much time and effort is required on our
part before we are able to acquire the gifts that come with
spiritual growth.
Speaking to converted
brethren, Paul said, "I cease not to give thanks for you,
making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord
Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you
the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of
Him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened;
that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and
what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the
saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to
us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty
power." (Ephesians 1:16-19)
Here is a simple and straightforward
list of requirements for spiritual growth.
Regular Prayer Frequent Fasting Daily Bible study Keep the Laws of God Apply the Lessons of in-depth Sermons Moderation and Balance (Simplify Our Lives) Brotherly Interaction (Reconcile and Provoke to Good Works) Come Out of the World Godly Meditation Prepare to Teach
(Now, and in the Millennial Kingdom of God) Observe the Weekly and Annual Sabbaths
(Picturing the Plan of God)
Remember this: Spiritual Gifts Come Only from God
Brethren, please do not take the wonderful spiritual attributes of God for granted. We can
study and learn all of our lives without hardly scratching the
surface of the inestimable ways of God. "O the depth of the
riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How
unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!"
(Romans 11:33) That does not mean that we should not try to
find out as much about God's ways as we can - we must - if we
are to be like Him.
We are instructed and encouraged, not to remain as we are, but
to continuously grow in the Spirit, that we may be filled with
all the fullness of God. "That you may be able to
comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and
depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which
passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness
of God."
(Ephesians 3:18-19)
Peter also wrote of his desire
that the brethren expand their spiritual horizons. "Grace
and peace be multiplied unto you through the
knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord." (2Peter 1:2)
When we were called out of the world, we did not possess the
knowledge of God that makes salvation possible for us. "According as His divine power hath given unto us all things
that pertain unto life and Godliness, through the knowledge of
Him that hath called us to glory and virtue." (2Peter
1:3) We must leave the status quo behind and reach out
to obtain the much greater things of God. "Whereby are
given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by
these you might be partakers of the divine
nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world
through lust." (2Peter 1:4)
In order to distance ourselves
from the world, we must be growing in these areas: "Beside
this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to
virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to
temperance patience; and to patience Godliness; And to godliness
brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if
these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall
neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord
Jesus Christ." (2Peter 1:5-8)
The point is this, unless we
are continuously growing and changing in spiritual
characteristics, we are mired-down, hopelessly stuck, in
complacency. As Christians, unless we are adding these Godly
traits to our character, we retain the Laodicean weakness of a
lack of reality perception. "He that lacketh these things
is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he
was purged from his old sins. (2Peter 1:9) Peter then
gives us the requisite action step for us to insure our entrance
into the Kingdom of God. "Wherefore the rather, brethren,
give diligence to make your calling and
election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never
fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly
into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ." (2Peter 1:10-11) ***
| Sermon: |
"Checklist for Spiritual Growth"
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