How to know if you are growing spiritually

My passion is spiritual growth.  I want to grow not only in the knowledge of the Lord, but in His grace and character.  This is a holy work done by His Holy Spirit in me and through me.

Please note the word work here - for it is work!  It is hard.  Why?  Because it goes against the grain of our culture, for the most part.  We stand out, or at least should, when we truly follow Jesus and His ways.

We cling to our hope in Christ.  The world clings to the stock market or whatever else gives them a sense of "security."  

We look for a better world to come.  The world fights like crazy to preserve this world, their earthly lives.  Note:  of course we are to be caretakers and take the best care possible of the Lord's world here and now.  But Christians know that this is not the final world.

We discern good from evil and are not afraid to say so.  The world has come to call evil good and good evil (never thought I'd live to see the day!).

We belong to Christ and therefore live by His Word.  The world re-writes their "ethics" based on what "feels good" or whatever may be "trending."  

I could go on and on and in how we differ from the unbelievers around us.  I could dare say how some of us even differ among church people.  For some "attend" church but care little to nothing about spiritual maturity.  They tick the box, "went to church," then get back to their "real" life of football-watching and whatever else they're into.  Life in Christ is an add-on, not the main meal for some.

I need Christ as my main meal, thank you.  I am hungry for His Word, His Presence, His wisdom - Him!

So for those of us who are serious about our faith, our relationship with Christ, we need to have the guts to be different among people who care very little about spiritual matters, let alone living holy before God.

Do you "dare to be different," as they say?

I believe we can gauge how far we have come in Jesus very simply.  Let's start by asking ourselves a few questions:

1. Am I becoming more forgiving and loving?
2. Am I more interested in the Lord than anything or anyone else?
3. Am I a student of the Word?  Do I study it and strive to obey the Lord in what I read there?
4. Do I hunger for God, want more of Him in my life?
5. Do I share my faith with others?
6. An I eagerly looking forward to Christ's return?
7. Am I willing to bear persecution for my faith?

So you see, living as a true Christian entails much more than believing a doctrine or attending church.

Following Jesus requires our hearts.  Are our hearts in it?

If not, ask the Lord to change your heart!  He is willing and more than able!

After all, when we stand before Him on Judgment Day, all we have to offer Him is what we allowed Him to do through us.  Was He glorified in and through us?  Did He know us?  Did we obey Him, by His grace and power in us?  

Will He care about how we used our gifts on earth?  Yes.  But deeper than that, I believe He will look at our hearts, our intent, our love, our submission to Him, our willingness to obey Him at all costs.  So those are all private matters between us and Him - not the outer use of gifts and talents. Yet those inner works done in private show up in how we use our gifts and serve others.

It's much easier to do outer things than it is to do the hard, inner work of growing up in Christ.  That's probably why so few do it!  But that's no excuse!

I encourage and admonish you to grow up and move on with the Lord.  Give Him your all.  Obey Him no matter what.  Look to Him as your very life, for He is.  Forget what "everyone else" is doing and follow Him!

Dear Lord, I need You more and more each day. Help me to never grow complacent in my spiritual work, but to keep growing, advancing with You, revealing more and more of Your grace, love, and mercy in my life. I need You to live through me, Lord Jesus, for I have nothing to offer in and of myself.  Give me Your wisdom, I pray, in all things.  Help me to truly grow up in You and make You proud of me.  In Jesus' Name. Amen.