Measurement of Growth

“Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God,

as in fact you are living. Now we ask you in the name of the Lord Jesus

 to do this more and more.”

1 Thessalonians 4:1 (NIV)

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When our son was growing up, we had a ritual we followed. We had received a paper measuring device that we attached to the doorpost in his room. Periodically, we would have him stand up against it and mark his height on the paper. When I grew up, parents did this right on a wall in a corner or on the doorpost itself. As I now watch old western movies, I see places where families did this very same practice. It speaks of their love for their children.

God gives us signs of our growth as we mature in Christ. He allows events to occur in our lives that draws us closer to Him. James tells us to “consider it pure joy . . . whenever you face trials.” He continues to explain that those trials allow us to become mature in our faith.

God allows rough times to enter our lives for His own reasons. Primarily, He wants us to grow closer to Him. Then, later on, we may have the opportunity to comfort another person as they face a similar hardship. Or, God may use that trial as a benchmark to remind us when we endure a future trial.

As we grow in Christ, we find we are not as impressed with the trappings of this world.

Transformed

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“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory,

 are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory,

 which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)

“. . . we, who with unveiled faces. . .” In Old Testament times, the people could not look directly on the face of God because of His being holy. Because Jesus rent the veil between the holy and the holiest of holy places in the Temple, we can look directly into God’s face.

“. . . all reflect the Lord’s glory. . .” Paul reminds the Corinthian believers that he and they reflect Jesus’ glory. This is a strong statement. Can we imagine if someone told us we are a mirror image of the Lord?

“. . . are being transformed into his likeness. . .” He tells the church that they being changed to resemble Jesus. Are we 21^st Century Christians being changes into His likeness or that of the world’s?

“. . . with ever-increasing glory. . .” This altering of the people is dynamic. Paul had experienced this changing in himself- first in his heart, then in how he lived. Here he describes this phenomenon as a progression.

“. . . which comes from the Lord. . .” He identifies the source of this process. It originates with the Lord. If we communicate with God on a daily basis, we have the privilege of hearing from Him when we need to.

“. . . who is the Spirit.” Paul explains that God works through the Holy Spirit in order for this transformation to be evident.

Bearing Fruit

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“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit  

showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

John 15:8 (NIV)

Jesus speaks here of our bearing fruit. He tells us that it is for God’s glory. Let’s think about those two statements.

We tell others more than we realize when they meet us. They notice our behavior and our attitude as we interact with them. They watch as we go through trials, noting how we respond.

I once heard of some sisters acting out at their father’s calling hours. Their aunt, who told me the story, was embarrassed by the display. Looking back, I can not put into words what was described to me.

I have a friend who took a spinster lady from our then church into our home when she needed a place to stay due to her health. The older woman went to the hospital, had surgery and did not do well after that. My friend maintained contact with the lady’s out of town family, as well as the woman’s lawyer. Not one time did I hear any complaining word from my friend.

My friend displayed Jesus to the house guest, to her out of town family, to the lady's attorney, and to the people of the church.  I learned a lot from my friend about showing God’s love to others.

Back in the early 1970’s, I read something by E. Stanley Jones that has stayed with me ever since. He told of a Christian’s witness being apparent to others. He said that doctors and morticians can tell if those they work with are Christians. He further said that they base their decision on how accepting the people receive harsh news-the knowledge of a terminal illness, theirs or a loved one’s,-or the loss of a loved one.

Growth In Spirit

“The path of the righteous is like first gleam of dawn,

shining ever brighter till the full light of day.”

Proverbs 4:18 (NIV)

Have you ever been outside when the sun breaks through the early morning sky? There is a small ray of light that grows wider and more pronounced as you watch it. Then the colors of the sky lighten and the sun breaks through and fills the firmament with its light. All you can see is the brightness of the sunshine as the rays reach out for as far as you can see.

Solomon, the wisest man of all times, compares our path as receivers of God’s righteousness to the progression of the sun. Our heavenly Father rewards us as we learn and apply His teachings to our lives.

When we master one lesson He has for us, God presents us with more opportunities to serve Him and to continue to grow in our spirits. 

Growth In Righteousness

“Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply  

and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.”

2 Corinthians 9:10 (NIV)

Paul speaks of God who supplies ALL we have. Besides providing the nourishment for our bodies, He also strengthens our hearts and souls in order for our spirits to grow to be more like Him.

Certain denominations observe Lent as preparation for Resurrection Sunday. Those who participate in fasting through the period go through a mini-metamorphosis- a time of change. People find themselves getting closer to God. We choose to go through the denial of something we like in order to better understand what Jesus gave up when He chose to go to the cross for us.

In my devotional reading, I am reading about the cross. Martyn Lloyd Jones writes of the cross telling his readers new thoughts about the importance of the cross in our lives.

A friend of mine has gone through a rough patch with someone she and her husband know. During this Lenten season, she also has grown closer to the Lord. My friend lives her life for the Lord. She seeks to see things through God’s eyes. She has followed God’s directive and is in the midst of trying to talk to this person as a devout Christian. I pray that my friend will be able to communicate God’s message to this other person.

Lord, Please help us as we learn more about You. Help us to grow more like You.

Growth In Faith

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“We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so,

because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you have

for each other is increasing.”

2 Thessalonians 1:3 (NIV)

Paul writes to the Thessalonians about their growth in their faith. He realizes he and his ministry group should thank God for the growth of faith in the church at Thessaloniki  Because Paul could see their faith as it grew, their love for one another deepened.

One of our local pastors has said the best way to get to know other people is to work on a project with them. I decided several years ago that a friendship grows deeper when people pray with one another. I felt closer to a certain lady after we prayed and cried at the altar.

When we read the writings of Paul, we have several thoughts come to us.

               He learned to love the Lord.

               He spent time spreading God’s word.

               He encouraged the believers in the churches he established.

               He came to realize the Christ was the most important person in His life.

We, as God’s children, would do well if we applied these goals to our hearts. Please help us, Lord, to live for You.

Transformed

“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory,

 are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory,
   which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)

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“. . . we, who with unveiled faces. . .” In Old Testament times, the people could not look directly on the face of God because of His being holy. Because Jesus rent the veil between the holy and the holiest of holy places in the Temple, we can look directly into God’s face

“. . . all reflect the Lord’s glory. . .” Paul reminds the Corinthian believers that he and they reflect Jesus’ glory. This is a strong statement. Can we imagine if someone told us we are a mirror image of the Lord?

“. . . are being transformed into his likeness. . .” He tells the church that they being changed to resemble Jesus. Are we 21^st Century Christians being changes into His likeness or that of the world’s?

“. . . with ever-increasing glory. . .” This altering of the people is dynamic. Paul had experienced this changing in himself- first in his heart, then in how he lived. Here he describes this phenomenon as a progression.

“. . . which comes from the Lord. . .” He identifies the source of this process. It originates with the Lord. If we communicate with God on a daily basis, we have the privilege of hearing from Him when we need to.

“. . . who is the Spirit.” Paul explains that God works through the Holy Spirit in order for this transformation to be evident.