Thought 125
Spiritual Growth
Did you know that you choose how fast you grow spiritually? Well, you do. If you have a willingness to do the Lord’s will, learn from your mistakes, turn form your wicked ways after repenting, and learn wisdom from godly mentors, then you are going to grow faster than someone who does not. We see a similar principle in physical life: some people mentally and emotionally “grow-up” faster than others. They do so by practice: they have to put forth effort to control their minds and emotions and when they do so, their character shows forth as responsible, wise, and mature character. Again, many people who grow faster did so because they chose to learn from their mistakes and apply themselves. It is the same spiritually: will you put forth the effort to grow and learn or will you just ‘go-along-for–the-ride’?
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Romans 5:1-5 NIV
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:3-11 NIV
