Growing is a Must….We will no longer be immature like children…. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.” (Eph 4:14-15 NLT) We were never meant to remain as children is what another translation reads. Sadly, millions of Christians grow older but never grow up. Growth is not automatic. It takes an intentional commitment. You must want to grow, decide to grow, make an effort to grow, and persist in growing. Jesus said to Matthew, “Come, be my disciple…. So Matthew got up and followed him.” (Matt 9:9). Many are afraid to commit to anything and just drift through life. Others make half-hearted commitments which leads to frustration and mediocrity. Others make full commitments, yet to worldly goals, which leads only to disappointment and bitterness. Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live….” (2 Peter 3:11). Purposeful growth is a decision each of us should make. God's Part vs Your Part Paul wrote, Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” (Phil 2:12-13 NLT). The two parts of spiritual growth are to “work out” and to “work in.” The “work out” is your responsibility, and the “work in” is God’s role. Spiritual growth is a team effort between you and the Holy Spirit. God’s Spirit works with us, not just in us. Practical Examples: During a physical workout, you exercise to develop your body. You don’t work out to get a body. Farmers “work” the land, not to get the land. They develop what they already have. In the same way, we don’t work to gain our salvation status in God, yet we must “work out” and give effort to becoming more like Christ. Pilots must change the autopilot setting to ultimately change the direction of their flight, not simply struggle with the steering. In the same way, to change your life, you must change the way you think. Behind everything you do is a thought. Every behavior is motivated by a belief, and every action is prompted by an attitude. “Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.” (Prov. 4:23 TEV) Changing Your Autopilot …let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” (Rom. 12:2) Begin by changing the way you think because the way you think determines the way you feel and the way you feel influences the way you act. Becoming like Christ means developing the mind of Christ and taking on His outlook and perspective. This can only come from the power of God’s transforming Word. Secondly, start thinking maturely by focusing on others and not yourself. We should think of their good and try to help them by doing what pleases them. Even Christ did not try to please himself.” (Rom 15:2-3 CEV)
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