How Do Christians Grow?

How a Christian grows in righteousness is a foundational and essential aspect of the Christian life. If we decide on the wrong foundation, we will climb a tall ladder only to realize at the top that we are on the wrong building. The world, the flesh, and the Devil continually seek to take our eyes off the everyday means of grace God has given us and to place them on our own power and will or on the execution of particular strategies and traditions. However, much like losing weight, there is no shortcut, and as I have said many times over the years, if humans had one “superpower” in this life, it would be consistent discipline. So, how do Christians grow in righteousness? Namely through spiritual disciplines, God’s sovereign workings, and practical habits and constructs in our lives. 

One of the greatest comforts in our journey to knowing God is that He has not left us without instruction or direction. We are responsible and capable of action in this life; thus, the commands and prescriptions given through God’s word fulfill a soul-depth itch. Similar to a dog bred to do work, he feels fidgety and unrest until he is given a role to play that fits how God made him. God has given us His perfect word, which we are commanded to read, meditate on, pray, speak to one another, study, teach, preach, and hear. When you think of the number of commands surrounding God’s word and how central God has made His word to the Christian life, it is not hard to see why it would be our focal point and also the number one area of the enemy of our souls would seek to belittle, make seem unattractive, and attack by whatever means. Yet in light of all of that, we are to press on and into God and His word, for in His word, we will find refreshment for our souls, pleasures at His right hand, and through consistent visits to the fountain of God’s word we will renew our minds and be transformed more and more into Christlikeness. 

Continuing on the spiritual role God has placed in our lives, He has also given us prayer. While His word is the primary means through which He talks to us, prayer is the primary means through which we talk to Him. I do not remember who said it first; it may have been John Flavel who said prayer is not us moving God so much, but our hearts moving closer to God. He compared it to a boat pulling on a rope anchored to the shore. The boat would get closer to shore through this process, not vice versa. Similarly, God draws us closer to His brilliant righteousness as we engage in prayer, and through this, He changes our hearts and minds to be in greater alignment with His will. 

There are also aspects of life where God sovereignly changes us because He wills to do so. For instance, there have been plenty of times in my life where I have not been as consistent in my disciplines as I should be, and yet God chose to grow me tremendously in certain areas of sanctification. Sometimes, these happen despite my efforts or the situation, and other times, they happen in conjunction with something. The most common conjunction is suffering. God has used suffering in my life as a master blacksmith, and he would use the hottest fires to purify his metals. Many seasons of my life have seen more growth due to suffering than from spiritual disciplines; God is patient with all His children…especially me! God uses suffering in our lives to create a humble heart, an eternal mindset, and a God-centered vision of life. 

Lastly, God uses the more practical aspects of life for our sanctification. One of the primary channels He uses is church discipline. As we hold each other accountable in the church for the sins in each other’s lives, we are kept more holy because of the support and responsibility given to us by our church family. It is easier to put sin to death when you are around more light. Practical relationships don’t stop there because we also need discipleship and biblical counseling. Both of these are extremely important for our growth in righteousness. When we neglect gathering with other believers throughout the week to speak of, study, and pray over God’s word together, we miss out on one of the primary means of encouragement God has prescribed for our lives. This is why gathering with the Saints on the Lord’s Day is not a nicety but a necessity. 

The only other aspect of life that is helpful to address is that of the extremely practical. As we attempt to grow in righteousness, we need to put sin to death, and this sometimes looks like changing the patterns of our lives, the relationships we engage with, and what we do or do not allow ourselves to do. God has placed the imminently practical aspects of life there for a reason: we must do our best to steward them well and honor God with this life He has given us. If we are consistent in spiritual disciplines, seek accountability and discipleship relationships, and rest in God’s sovereign grace, we will grow as God has always planned. 

May God bless your week as you seek His kingdom first!

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Dan