Progress in Spiritual Growth. Philippians 3:15. “Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.” Mature believers recognize their limitations and their inability to do God’s will and fulfill His purposes without the power of the Holy Spirit. We may have made some reasonable progress in spiritual growth and become more balanced and dependable as the years of Christian living go by. However, we are not yet what we should be or could be, so there is no reason to become complacent. There are areas of living and service for God that we know we lack in. God can reveal to us and clarify what needs to be done and what changes must be made.
The key point is that our motivation from the heart drives us in running the race. When love for God and love for people's souls motivate us, we can keep going despite obstacles and opposition. We recognize how much we fall short of the spiritual maturity we should have, but our focus is on growing in the Lord. This is an ongoing work of God, and we should make every effort to pursue this goal. If we believe we have “arrived,” God will reveal to us where and what we truly are.
As time goes by, there are always changes when the Spirit of God has His way with us and works within us. Things we once did wrong, we no longer do. Our actions, words, and attitude reflect our effort to do what is right in God’s eyes. Interestingly, as we grow spiritually, we begin to show traits similar to our brothers and sisters in the family of God. We are becoming more Christ-like, not strange religious mystics who struggle to connect meaningfully with people in the world.
When one believer speaks of the Lord, others respond with similar thoughts of His love and grace. If the topic is life or how to live a Christlike life in this darkening world of strife, each offers encouraging words based on their faith in Christ. Prophetic words of truth hold great value when fear of upcoming conflicts or death arises. When the scriptures are discussed and trust among us deepens, we become more aware of our spiritual growth.
The Bible is essential for spiritual growth. Its truths serve as our counsel and guide. The Spirit of God teaches us, revealing the meaning of God's word and how to apply it personally. Our minds seek understanding, and when we finally grasp the meaning deep inside, the truth's impact on our souls lasts. Although people around us may dismiss it as a joke, true believers and I are often of the same mind. Along with those of “like precious faith,” I choose to take the Savior’s yoke upon myself and learn from Him. When this is a conscious decision, growth in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ becomes real. We learn from Christ how to live effectively, be generous in giving, and maintain a meek and humble attitude that others can see. When I focus on and frequently mention God's work and the Christian’s true hope, others may realize that as we share one mind, we are maturing and showing clear signs of spiritual growth.
We must focus our energy on things that matter for eternity and God's glory. We need to train ourselves "unto godliness" so that the burden of earthly possessions does not hinder our progress. We must persist in our journey toward the goal despite difficulties, setbacks, or even stumbling or falling. If that happens, we must get up and continue running the race.