Growing in God

1 Corinthians 13:11 (NKJV) 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Growth and maturing as a follower of Christ are taught throughout the word of God, and especially in the New Testament.

In fact, much of what is written in the New Testament is aimed at bringing understanding in this area.

God’s plan and desire for us is that we put our faith in Christ and view that only as the beginning of our journey.

Every day thereafter should be a step toward greater understanding in the things of God, which leads to greater, stronger faith. And that faith carries us through the seasons of life, including those that are difficult and hard to bear.

But are we doing this? Are we learning, growing, and maturing, as God desires for us?

Or are we remaining spiritual infants, failing to grow into who God has called us to be?

We are either partaking of spiritual meat, or we are still being nursed, partaking only of milk because meat is too difficult for us to digest.

Hebrews 5:12 (NKJV) 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

The word of God is our meat. It is what builds us, strengthens our spiritual muscles, and leads us from step A to step B, etc. throughout our lives.

To be clear, we don’t eat of the Word solely to gather food (knowledge & understanding) and become fat with it and keep it to ourselves.

We eat to be strengthened so we can grow and then teach others. We are meant to become fruitful to the kingdom of God, benefitting others with what God gives us.

But if we fail to grow, and we refuse to partake of meat, we will not reach that point. We will live and die drinking only milk.

1 Corinthians 3:2 (NKJV) 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able;

Let us put away the childish things.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

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Matthew 7:13-14 (LSB) 13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

As you read these words today, please take them to heart. Let them penetrate.

Why do I say this?

Because these words matter. They are important enough to warrant careful consideration by each of us. And I will speak them plainly because of their critical nature.

There is no such thing as casual Christianity. We are either all in, or not in at all.

Why do I say that? And how can I back it up?

Jesus spent His days on earth teaching people the importance of repenting, putting God first, having faith in Him, and producing fruit.

He would not have done that if it wasn’t true, and it didn’t matter.

In the words above, He spoke plainly about the fact that the road (gate) to life is narrow, and that few will enter in. Those are sobering words in and of themselves if we take them at face value, which He intended.

But He said much more.

He told His disciples that we must abide (remain steadfastly) in Him, because apart from Him we cannot bear fruit. And, in fact, we can do nothing apart from Him.

John 15:4 (LSB) 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit from itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.

And He went on to expound further by stating that anyone (any branch) that does not bear fruit is cut off by the Father, removed and thrown away.

John 15:2 (AMPC) 2 Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit.

You see, Jesus did not die on the cross so people could casually, intermittently follow (trust) Him.

God intends that our walk with Him be a lifelong endeavor that means something; a heartfelt endeavor that gets our attention wholeheartedly.

This goes far beyond walking an aisle, praying a prayer of salvation, or attending a weekly church service.

He wants our whole heart, 24/7, 365.

Will we give it to Him?

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James 4:8 (LSB) 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

We have a question for you today.

What’s stopping you?

What is the basis for that question?

It is the fact that most people, if asked, would readily state that they wish their relationship with God was stronger.

Yet, despite willingly and readily speaking those words, few will actually do what is needed to make it stronger.

You see, just like anything else that’s worth pursuing, our walk with God is no different. It requires deliberate effort to make it happen and to strengthen it.

None of this will happen by chance, without our willingness to “put in the work”.

No, we are not saved by our works.

Ephesians 2:8 (LSB) 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

But “work” is required if we are to grow and mature as a believer and climb past the infant stage of our growth.

You may ask, “why should I want to grow?”.

The answer is simple; because Jesus told us to do so.

John 15:5 (LSB) 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

We can make excuses as to why we aren’t growing, or why our relationship with God is weak.

In the end, no excuse holds water or validity.

But there is hope!

Each day is a new day. And this very day is the one on which you can “take the bull by the horns” and make the change that has been put off for so long.

Let us do the hard work.

Put in the time and effort, setting aside the things that distract us and suck up our time day after day, focusing instead on the One who loves us enough to offer redemption despite our sinful selves.

Hebrews 12:1-2 (LSB) 1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, laying aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

To have the Bible Verse of The Day delivered to your inbox each day, please Click Here and then enter your email address in the box near the upper left corner of the page.