STRIVE TO GROW SPIRITUALLY

Pr. Geoffrey Kibombo

Ephesians 4:11-15 (NIV)

“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”

A seed no matter how small and seemingly lifeless bears life; and when the time is right and the seed is sown, it germinates and sprouts; and then you are able to see the life within the once seemingly lifeless seed. After those stages, it bears branches and fruit. So just like a seed, Salvation bears life and anything that has life grows. In salvation there must be growth as you move from one level to the next - infant to maturity. You must grow and start to perceive things from the vantage point of maturity as seen in the scripture above 

Five-fold Ministry

We read in Ephesians 4:11 above that God put in place the five-fold ministry to cause the church to grow spiritually so that we are not shaken and tossed about by any doctrine. The things that hinder you from your blessing are increasing in your life, and thus you should position yourself to be in a place where you can stay in the narrow road amidst all the challenges. Challenges are part of your salvation life; therefore you cannot take them away. But when you are spiritually mature, you consider the challenges as an opportunity and lesson.

The role of the five-fold ministry is to bring the church to a level of growth so as to become a mature entity and take on the likeness of Christ. This way the church will not be shaken to and fro by every wind of teaching or doctrine. One of the roles of the five-fold ministry is to cause you to receive the spiritual benefits available to Christians so that they grow and attain spiritual maturity; so that they are able to make informed and, right decisions and bear fruits. 

Grow in the Word 

2 Peter 3:18 (AMP)

“Grow [spiritually mature] in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” 

So one of the debts you have as a Christian is not only to grow in age or be in salvation for long, but for you to come to a certain level of understanding in the way you perceive things, make decisions and how you respond and react to situations that come your way. 1 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV) says;
“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me”

Spiritual maturity gives you a different perspective - when you are spiritually mature, you make rightful and wise decisions amidst challenges. That is why it is important to desire maturity in our hearts and to partake of the spiritual food for mature people. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:1-2 (NLT) that;
“Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in Christ. 2 I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready”

Paul used illustrations to prove to the Corinthians that they were still immature (1 Corinthians 11:17-18). We therefore have to come out of the spiritual childishness and ask for the grace of God, and yearn to grow. When the devil is looking for someone to use, or to lead astray, he looks for one who is immature - the devil is always prowling around like a lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8)

Much as he was a Jew, Moses grew up in the palace and was raised in the Egyptian culture. But when he grew up, he realised he was not an Egyptian and declined to be called a child of Pharaoh’s daughter (Hebrews 11:24-26). What made him make such a decision even when he was seeing great things in his life? He had grown in knowing God, His ways and word. Spiritual maturity causes you to make rightful decisions. I know that some believers have made wrong choices and decisions because of ignorance (Hosea 4:6), so its very crucial that you grow in knowing the Word of God so that you can make right and godly decisions. 

Grow in Faith

Luke 8:22-25 (NLT)

“One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out.  23 As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger. 24 The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. 25 Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?”

Every new believer is still spiritually young as they have to go through certain teachings. There are some elementary teachings and low level classes we need to go through. Some skipped those classes and didn’t learn some things. Every class you attend teaches and equips you with truth that helps you to overcome and be victorious. The bible teaches us that some of the elementary lessons we need to learn is to have faith in God. Many people in this generation put their faith in other things - jobs, businesses, family etc. We can see Jesus in Luke 8 above asking the disciples where their faith was. This shows that one of the things they did not comprehend is to have faith even amidst storms. The faith of every Christian should be unmoved irrespective of the situation, but stand tall and be able to move mountains (Mathew 17:20).

One of the first principles we have to know is that faith grows – little acts of faith grows your faith immeasurably. Faith grows when it’s applied and exercised several times. Some of the challenges in life come to nurture and grow your faith in God. The bible says in James 1:2-3 (AMP) that; 
"Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. 3 Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]."

To a believer, the desert is a training ground filled with challenges, problems and trials as lessons to grow your faith (Deuteronomy 8:2-4).  

Grow in contentment

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NIV)

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Saviour.”

We have seen that Moses preferred to suffer the affliction with God's people because he knew the reward in the end. When one matures, they forsake what is not right, however good it may be  and wait for the things that originate from God no matter the delay. 

In Acts 16:25, Paul and Silas overcome the unfavourable conditions in the jail cell to pray and praise God. They had been unjustly beaten, arrested and thrown into prison. Yet, somehow, Paul and Silas found it in themselves to praise to God. Some of us haven’t been imprisoned for our faith, but the principle is the same for us as it was for Habakkuk, Paul, and Silas - we can always find a reason to praise God irrespective of the circumstances because God’s worth never changes. It takes maturity in Christ for one to be content and happy with the little God has blessed him with. A spiritually mature person will be content in all seasons of life, and lack or trials of life will not wither or derail their faith and belief in God. When life is not fruitful and rosy some people choose the path of bitterness and complaint as their response to God but a spiritually mature Christian will choose a path of contentment and praise

We need to praise and glorify God in all seasons - whether we have plenty or in deficiency. Do not change according to the situations. Spiritual maturity enables one to be content and be grateful in all situations. David encourages us in Psalm 103 to bless the Lord and forget not His benefit. You may not have everything you need or desire but a mature believer looks back and appreciates how far God has brought him or her. Contentment is an act of maturity, learn to be content always. 

Grow in Fellowship

Hebrews 10:25 (AMPC)

“Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.”

Some Christians are like young children who you need to persuade to go to church. Such are still spiritually immature. We need to grow to the level of David who was; glad when he was told to go to the house of the Lord - Psalm 122:1. We go to church to spiritually service our souls with praise, worship, the word and testimonies. When we regularly fellowship, we partake of the spiritual food - word of God which causes us to grow spiritually. Whenever you have the ability to do so, always attend fellowship to get the spiritual food and be well fed so that when the devil tries to attack you, he will lose because you are spiritually immune to his tactics and ways.

In the spiritual world the devil can discern those who are not well nourished spiritually. But when you regularly and continuously fellowship and attend various church services like bible study, overnight, youth fellowship, combat service, Sunday service and others, you are eating a balanced diet – you learn the word, how to pray, make spiritual friends and your faith is built by testimonies of others. However, some Christians keep away from church when faced with problems yet the answer is in church - for church is the mountain of God where we get victory over our battles and overcome our challenges (Hebrews 12:22).

If you have failed to forgive someone for 10 years, it means you are stuck in the forgiveness class for 10 years. Spiritual growth is not like universal education. You will not be promoted because you are past the required age for that class, however if you fail to pass, you will never leave that class and you can even die when you are still immature in that area. In the heavenly system you will repeat that class until you transform to the likeness of Christ. Do not be like Moses who failed the class of anger management, and it eventually cost him - he was forbidden from entering the Promised Land (Numbers 20:7-12).

What goes on in the fellowship or church service is necessary for your spiritual growth, therefore do not give up the act of congregating with those of like faith and belief (Hebrews 10:25). You need to listen to what is being preached by the servants of God. Each testimony, teaching and revelation of the word has a valuable ingredient needed for you to grow spiritually.

A great percentage of the problems we have in church are because of spiritual immaturity, but if we work on growing in Christ, we shall overcome most of them. What will cause you to grow in Christ and attain spiritual maturity? Going deeper in the Word of God; stretching our faith; learning to be content in all seasons, and constant fellowship.

May God give you the grace to grow to the likeness and character of Christ

1 Corinthians 13:9-10 (NLT)

“For we know in part, and we prophesy in part [for our knowledge is fragmentary and incomplete]. 10 But when that which is complete and perfect comes, that which is incomplete and partial will pass away”