Many believers like to view God's grace as something that brings comfort and easy living, and it does in some seasons. But in many seasons the work of Christ also calls us to work and grow in faith. Not that we are to force or manipulate growth into our being, but that as we rely on Jesus more, He will bring growth.
Growth in the area of faith, discipline, knowledge, love and many other areas - we all secretly want them, but not all of us are seeing growth in our lives. God wants you to grow and He wants you to grow through His power, not your own. 1 Peter 2:2 says, "As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that ye may grow by it."
If you're struggling with spiritual growth today, here are five main reasons why.
You've stopped seeking to know Jesus. All growth and maturity starts first with the knowledge and experience of Christ. 2 Peter 3:18 "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." The more that we walk in our relationship with Jesus, the more He reveals to us areas in us that need pruning, bondages that need to be broken and hurts that need to be healed. Not only does He reveal it, but He also makes it happen. The key to spiritual growth is laid on the foundation of Jesus Christ and His finished work.
You've started depending too much on your own strength. When spiritual maturity becomes too much about what we must do to attain growth, we can easily find ourselves disappointed. While we have a role to play, the major role in our growth is played by God and He is the one that causes things to grow.
You're too comfortable. When faced with trials, a lot of us like to back off and run back to comfort, but often God allows trials to come to us so that we may grow in perseverance, character and faith. James 1:2 says, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds."
You lack mentorship and discipleship. As we walk and desire for spiritual growth, we do not have to pursue it alone. God has given us relationships and community so that we may grow together as we help each other through encouragement and correction. Paul knew this best when he said in 1 Corinthians 11:1, "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ."
You have shut out the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 tells us, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." In short, what that means is that the fruit of the Spirit is spiritual growth. Growth can come by no other way except by the intervention of the Holy Spirit now made available through Christ. When we try to change any other way, it only stays as outward and temporary flesh change.
