“Christian Growth”
by: Rev. Kennedy Young, Jr.
Growing up is not easy, but if you’re going to live the abundant life it’s essential! The Bible is written replete encouragement for us to grow up in grace and the knowledge of God in an environment of instability and error.
“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 [KJV]
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God. Hebrews 6:1 [KJV]
Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins. Jeremiah 12:2 [KJV]
I’ve had the distinct privilege of becoming a father for the third time last year. It helped me to further juxtapose my thoughts on Spiritual maturation. My little one year old cries for milk every day; How are we hungering after God’s word? If we have malice, jealousy, unconfessed sin or envies our desire for God’s Word will be hindered, and we will not grow. Many of us are willing to sit at God’s table to eat but not work in God’s field. We get spiritual nutrition for spiritual vocation.
The devil wants our life to be taken up with cares of this world, likes on social media, reality show ideologies so we will not spend time in supplication and searching the scriptures. We have to take time to read and pray. Max Lucado said, “When we work, we work; but when we pray, God works.” Prayer can change circumstances and change lives. Daniel had a set time every day to pray – 3 times a day. We need to make a habit of reading and praying every day. Be diligent about it by not allowing the minuscule things of this life distract us from becoming despondent to God. If we don’t put into practice what we hear and allow the things of this world to come in our life we will stop growing. We cannot be apathetic and neglect our fidelity to God and grow.
If we cease from learning God’s word; stop the assemblage of worshiping God in our local aggregations; discontinue praying; our spiritual life will shrivel up and die.
Jesus is our paradigm. At 12 years old He was earnest about his Father’s business Luke 2:41-52. He was not distressed about what He could get out of life for Himself. He wanted to grasp more about his Father’s Will and please his Father. He came to do the Father’s Will and not His own will. We need to have the same earnestness of learning about our heavenly Father in order to cultivate all that’s within us. In closing, let me alarm you with a thought; that many of us are willing to sit at God’s table but not work in God’s field. We get spiritual nutrition for spiritual vocation.
Instagram + Twitter; @knndy_young
East Gate Missionary Baptist Church
6960 S. Polk St. | Dallas TX
Kennedy Young Jr Lead Pastor