“We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18, CSB)
The formula for growth rate is (new – old)/old and times 100 to convert to a percentage. This works regardless of the measured unit, such as money, height, volume, and test scores. However, some things are difficult to measure. How do you determine the growth of relationships, love, trust, or faith? And yet, God promises that we will continue to grow in these (and others) as we walk with Christ.
The goal of Christian growth isn’t salvation that was imparted to us by Christ. The goal is to grow more and more in the likeness of Christ. “Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ.” (Ephesians 4:14–15, CSB) This growth isn’t for our glory but for Christ’s glory.
There are many things which can slow or even stop our growth in Christ. Our hearts can be distracted by the wants, temptations, and desires of the world. The exercise of religion can enhance or stunt our growth. Doing religious things is often false proof of growth. The Bible says, “You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it; you are not pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. You will not despise a broken and humbled heart, God.” (Psalm 51:16–17, CSB)
The prophet Micah expounded on this, “What should I bring before the Lord when I come to bow before God on high? Should I come before him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves? Would the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams or with ten thousand streams of oil? Should I give my firstborn for my transgression, the offspring of my body for my own sin? Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:6–8, CSB)
This doesn’t mean we push aside religious acts but that our focus is on Christ in those acts. The promise is that as we set our eyes on Jesus, He will grow, mature, and perfect our love, faith, and trust in Him and the expressions of those attributes to our world.
Other verses for this promise (Compiled by David Wilkerson)
- Ephesians 3:17-19
- Psalm 92:12
- 1 Peter 2:2-3
- Proverbs 4:18
- Deuteronomy 8:3
- Philippians 1:6
- Ephesians 4:14-15
- Colossians 1:10
- Philippians 1:9-10
- 2 Peter 1:5-8
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