Christian
Growth
Bible Text: Galations 5:19-23
As a child, did you have a place
in your room or somewhere in the house where you marked your growth? Some
months it seemed that mark on the wall stayed the same. Then maybe one summer
you went to visit relatives or went to a summer camp. When you came back
to measure your height, you were excited by the number of inches you had
grown. At age 27, I'm 5'1 (no shorty jokes) and I can remember reaching my
final height at the age of 13.
Three years ago, in August 1995,
I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. I often wonder how much I
have grown spiritually. Once you are born again, the old person is replaced
by a new person. How do you know you have changed? How can you measure spiritual
growth? Just as we may have measured our growth when we were younger, we
should examine how our relationship is developing with the Lord.
In today's lesson, the apostle
Paul gives us two comparisons. Those characteristics of those in the world
(verses 19-21) and those characteristics of a Christian (verses 22-23) are
compared. Earlier in this passage, the Holy Spirit is revealed as a
counselor/coach who abides within us. The Holy Spirit reminds us of the lessons
Jesus taught and disciplines our Christian walk. In order for the Holy Spirit
do His work, we must remove self and allow the complete indwelling of the
Holy Spirit. The flesh (human nature) and the Holy Spirit can not both abide
in the same place.
Fleshly emotions can only result
in destructive actions against ourselves, others and even more unjustly against
God. God does not want us to hate, commit violence against, or envy others.
He wants us to seek his kingdom, rather than spend time idolizing wealth,
possessions, fame, and knowledge. Sexual activities and passions must be
brought under control. Our bodies are temples, and the Holy Spirit needs
a pure place to abide.
Jesus said, in John 15:4, "Remain
in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must
remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."
If we confess to be a Christian, this means we are striving to become more
like Christ. The fruits of the spirit are Jesus' characteristics. Look at
the list, what fruits are you bearing? What fruits are missing? To ensure
that our spiritual growth does not become stunted, we must continuously
communicate with God in prayer and feed on His word daily.
I may be short physically, but
each day I live I want to keep on striving for the "higher calling" found
in the spiritual realm. How about you? Let's move that mark up the
wall!!!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tyora Moody is the creator of the Faithwebbin Network.
Feel free to use the above study for your personal or group bible study.
For more "Edibles for the Soul" go to:
http://www.tywebbin.com/faith/edibles/
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