Grow up in all aspects of Christ
“…we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ…” (Eph. 4:15)
Growth defined: to spring up and develop to maturity; to become larger, greater, or bigger; expand or gain.
In his book, “Life is Tremendous,” Charlie “Tremendous” Jones shares a remarkable experience that left him astonished. During one of his business success seminars, he spotted a renowned and affluent business magnate sitting in the front row. Intrigued and honored, Charlie approached him during a break, expressing his surprise at the presence of such a successful figure in his seminar. “I should be learning from you, as you have achieved so much more than I have!” he remarked.
The man chuckled and replied, “Let me share a story that explains my presence here.” He began, “As a young boy, my father, a successful businessman, had a passion for gardening. One day, while he tended to his garden, I stood by his side. He asked me, ‘Son, what do you notice about my garden?’ I looked around at the vibrant flowers and ripe vegetables and exclaimed, ‘What a beautiful garden!’
My father then said, ‘I was hoping you would notice something far more significant: when things are in full bloom and ripe, they are nearing their end and will soon decay. However, when they are still green, they are in the process of growing!’ He stressed that life, particularly in business, is a continuous journey of growth. Therefore, in whatever you do, always see yourself as green and growing. I took his words to heart. Therefore, despite my success, I make it a priority to keep growing and remain vibrant. In fact, he added, ‘Today, at your seminar, I gathered a few fresh ideas that I am eager to implement in my companies.’”
The same thing can be said about growing spiritually!
You must not stop but always move ahead!
If you don’t grow you will become weak and dull
“About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” (Heb. 5:11-14 ESV)
Grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus
“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 ESV)
Grow on to maturity
“Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.” (Heb. 6:1-2 ESV)
Therefore…
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 1:6 ESV)
“So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” (Col. 1:10 ESV)
Quote:
“Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth. Acute desire must be present or there will be no manifestation of Christ to His people. He waits to be wanted. Too bad that with many of us He waits so long, so very long, in vain.” - Aiden Wilson Tozer