Topic: Growing in Grace [Saturday November 15, 2014]
Memorise: But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. - 2 Peter 3:18
Read: Colossians 2:6-7
2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
MESSAGE:
Even though little children and babies enjoy many benefits such as being carried, being assisted in every situation and receiving prompt attention and care when they cry, it is not a desirable thing to remain a baby or a child. It is neither in the interest of the child nor that of its parents that a child or baby remains stagnant in growth and not mature. In like manner, while Jesus as the Great Shepherd of his people will gather the young ones with His arms and carry them in His bosom (Isaiah 40:11), He would not be delighted in having them remain immature indefinitely. To remain a babe in the faith for too long is to make yourself a liability to the body of Christ and an unnecessary burden for the leaders set over you. Such Christians don’t know their full rights in Christ, and hence, the enemy takes advantage of their ignorance to afflict them and cheat them. It is common knowledge that in the natural world, children do funny things that can bring them harm, the same applies spiritually.
Spiritual babes can ignorantly inflict injury on themselves by allowing the devil to make them do foolish things. Such Christians will no doubt be carnal Christians. Besides, babies don’t reproduce and God hates unfruitfulness (John 15:1-2). With these in mind, it is therefore very undesirable to refuse to grow in your Christian life. Now, how is a Christian expected to grow? This is revealed in Colossians 2:6-7.
“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”
Note from the above passage that there are two directions of growth. Basically, a plant sends its root downwards, while its stem and branches grows upward. It is the root growing deep in the soil that gets food supply to support the stem, branches, leaves and fruiting of the plant above. So also must the children of God keep sending their roots deeper and deeper in Christ till an evident outward expression of growth and maturity in Christian virtues, character and wisdom is made manifest. Also, from the above passage, to achieve spiritual growth, you must expose yourself to Bible teachings i.e. sound doctrinal teachings that reveal the total counsel of God. You are not helping yourself if you select only the things in the word of God that suit you and neglect other instructions, warnings and chastisement.
Prayer Point: Pray that the lord will help you to be consistent in exposing yourself to provisions of God for your growth - studying, meditating, praying, evangelising and obedience to the word of God.
Bible in a Year: 1 Chronicles 4:24-6:81
Open Heavens Daily Devotional written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.
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