In my years of teaching men to become followers and disciples of Christ, not everyone has experienced growth in the same intensity and speed. Some grow almost instantly and become transformed by the Spirit within days. But there are those who for years are still stuck in the same situation, sins and struggles.
I have one friend whom I started leading to the Lord years ago, but is still stuck in a cycle of alcoholism, addiction and depression. It almost seems like nothing has changed, and I've been asking myself if I should give up on him. What would God have me do?
Discipling stuck cases can be tough, but God's Word reminds us that growth is not up to us. Our only job is to plant the seed and water it. 1 Corinthians 3:6 says, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth."
And while this scripture pertains to corporate growth, there's no reason to believe that it cannot apply also to personal growth.
We Were Designed to Grow
When God manufactured man, He made us for the purpose of growing biologically, intellectually and even spiritually. We were all made with the inclination to grow in every aspect. And as He has designed us for such, He has also made us to grow if we choose only to abide in Him.
John 15:5 says this: "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." We were designed to grow, but growth comes only when we abide in Christ.
God Causes the Growth
God causes us to grow by the work of His Holy Spirit. It is inevitable that we experience growth when the Holy Spirit comes upon us. We can and we will grow when we surrender our life to God because He gives us the power to do so.
No, growth is not up to us. It's not up to our church. It's not up to our mentors, our pastors or parents. It's up to God and He can and will make us grow if we allow Him to.
Christ Has Paid the Price for Growth
Ultimately, growth comes because Christ has already paid the full price for us to experience growth in spirit. As Christ has set our spirits free from sin and death, He has given us the ability to be exalted from glory to glory. While it doesn't happen overnight, it will happen in due time as we allow God's work and not ours to play out its course in our life.
