There are things concerning the will of God that are unmistakable. One of those is God wants us to grow. If we are a Christian it is very clear in God's word that we are not to stay the same. We are to grow from being babes in Christ to maturity in our faith. This does not happen automatically, nor is it easy.
God has given leaders to the church to teach, encourage, correct, challenge, lead and help us to grow.
Ephesians 4:11-16: "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-Christ-from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying to itself of itself in love."
There are seven things we can do to ensure we will grow:
1. Prayer: Philippians 4:6: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."
2. Word: 2 Timothy 3:16-17: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."
3. Fellowship: Acts 2:42: "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers."
4. Worship: Colossians 3:16: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."
5. Giving: Luke: 6:35: " But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High."
6. Witnessing: 2 Corinthians 5:20: "Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: We implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God."
7. Serving: Galatians 5:13: "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."
-- Leo Kruger is pastor at Valley Christian Fellowship.
