Are You Growing?

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The other day, our grandson got a stool and climbed up on the counter at home and helped himself to a banana. Evidently, this is the first time something like this has happened. He does climb and do things, but one of his parents is usually there to give him some directions or to stop him from hurting himself. His dad was very surprised to walk in and see him sitting on the counter with a banana.

Children, as they are growing, are exploring and doing different things. It is just part of their nature and learning experience. If they did not, we would become alarmed and think something was wrong with them.

As I mused about this the other day, I thought about the children of God. They are like this in some ways, are they not? When one obeys the gospel of Jesus, they begin a different kind of a journey. It is a spiritual journey and one where there needs to be growth. As a matter of fact, this growth is commanded of us. The Apostle Peter in his letter of 2nd Peter, in chapter three, stated, “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18. Did you notice that Peter did not make this an option? There is no “when you can” or “if you decide to,” but just “grow.” This speaks to each of those who are members of the body of Christ. We are not to stay as infants but to do what it takes to grow to be like Jesus.

The writer of the book of Hebrews tells us, “Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity...,” Hebrews 6:1a We are to move past the fundamental things and dig deeper into our God. We are to study his word in order that we can grow to be like Him. We must not expect this to just happen, because it won’t. Someone has observed during the days the Bible was being written, the people received it by inspiration, but we today receive this by perspiration. We must work to achieve this growth.

To those who are reading these words, can you say that you are obeying the command to grow? Can you say that you are moving toward maturity in your faith and in your life? If you answer that in the affirmative, then you are on the right track. If you can’t, however, today is the day to start. Today, you can spend more time with God, and as you do, you will see a change in your life. It won’t be easy, but you can grow and be a wonderful servant of God. Let’s not be stagnant in our faith but put forth every effort to please the One who died for us and cares for each of us.