Spiritual Growth

2 Peter 3:18 

but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

The verb grow, is a present tense imperative. This means we are commanded to continually grow. Growth is a process and not an event. The Spiritual life is analogous to our physical life. As, we discipline ourselves to develop physically, by engaging in physical disciplines, such as going to the gym, walking, running, or playing sports, for physical improvement. Likewise, we continually need to discipline our spiritual selves.

Paul actually uses the word that we get gymnasium from, to refer to discipline in (1Tim4:8). In God’s gym we discipline ourselves through Scripture reading, praying, fasting, journaling, solitude on a daily basis. We have to be proactive and intentional with these activities, in order to grow. Growth is not dependent upon how long one has been a Christian, but on how much effort one has put in to exercising spiritual discipline with a view to growth. They are not an end in themselves, but a means to facilitate the end-which is growth.

Paul said bodily discipline is good for this life only, but spiritual discipline is good for both this life and the life to come (Tim4:9). Most people remember when they started working-out. It wasn’t a pleasant experience, but after realizing the benefit working out, it became a joy. Continue in the spiritual disciplines, when you realize the eternal benefits, the disciplines will become life’s greatest joy!