‘…holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.’ (Col. 2:19, emphasis added)
To be honest, the context of the above text is more closely related with our previous post ‘Body Parts‘, but while reading the passage the latter part stood out to me. If I had to place my finger on a reason why this was, I would guess it is because lately I have been contemplating and conversing about this very topic.
Have I grown?
This is an important question to ponder—whether or not it is related to spiritual matters. If you have a vocation or ability, the usual mode of thought is to desire, as much as it depends on you, to continually improve. To gain new understanding of things, grasp aspects that once seemed out of your reach; even gamers can relate to this with the proverbial quest for levelling up and acquiring new loot and armour.
Now, if even recreational activities see the benefit of growth and improvement, how much more when your eternal soul is involved?
Humble Beginnings
For those who have enjoyed the miracle of being saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, I rejoice with you! The enmity you once had with God has been done away with, and you have become one reconciled with God through His Son (2 Cor. 5:18-19; Rom. 5:6-11). Of course, I would write amiss if I do not plead with any reader that has not put his or her faith in Christ Jesus yet. By the mercies of God you are reading this very post when you could be doing 100 other things; God is making His appeal to you now for the salvation of your soul: ‘…we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him’ (2 Cor. 5:20-21). Know that your salvation is not for God’s own benefit, but yours; His day of righteous judgment is coming, and those who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ will have to pay for their sins themselves—and that takes an eternity in hell to do!
Now, a lot of us do not see an instantaneous change in our lifestyles, habits or thoughts when we come to Christ. Granted, there has been a fundamental change to be sure, but we spend the rest of our lives living out and becoming what we already are: sons and daughters of God. This process is often referred to as ‘sanctification’, and every genuine believer of the gospel must undergo it. A life of sanctification is like a litmus test, and it stands as one of the evidences we can find our assurance that we have indeed been saved. This is one of the reasons why Paul exhorts us, ‘let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall’ (1 Cor. 10:12), and ‘test yourselves to see if you are of the faith; examine yourselves!’ (2 Cor. 13:5)
With this in view, I want to expand briefly on some thoughts mentioned above for your encouragement and exhortation.
It is a Godly Growth
This is a thought mentioned previously, in that this growth is something every genuine believer must undergo. Another way of looking at it is the ‘faith without works is dead’ challenge given by James in his letter (Jas. 2:14-26). Our growth in godliness includes aspects such as bearing the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23), turning from sin (2 Tim. 2:19b), and growing in love and reverence for the Word of God (Ps. 19:7-11); it can all be summed up in this: ‘…those whom He [God] foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren…’ (Rom. 8:29, emphasis added).
As God works in our hearts and lives, we are exhorted to grow in these matters that we might see signs of our new life in Jesus, for ‘…he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble’ (2 Pet. 1:9-10).
Growth in our spiritual lives is a godly thing, and an essential outward working of the change that has happened inwardly.
It is a Gradual Growth
Just as you didn’t instantaneously go from being 2 months old to whatever age you are now, likewise your growth in the Lord is a gradual one. This was understood by the writers of the New Testament, and so they exhorted accordingly (eg 1 Cor. 3:1-2, 1 Pet. 2:1-3, Heb. 6:1-3).
It can be discouraging when you find yourself still wrestling with sins and habits you hoped you would have overcome by now, or to be painfully aware of your shortcomings when you find yourself walking in the weakness of your old ways. Dear believer, recognise that even this reaction to your failings is evidence of the change in you! Be encouraged; not only is there no more condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, but He has also freed us from our slavery to sin (Rom. 8:1, Rom. 6:12-14). Now, as He continues to work in us, we will strive for godliness by ‘putting to death the deeds of the body’ (Rom. 8:13, emphasis added), but we take it one day at a time, one battle at a time, one choice at a time.
It is a God-Worked Growth
My final encouragement for you today is that this growth, while involving effort on our part, is ultimately the work of God. This cannot be stressed enough as we tend to fall into the trap of putting more emphasis on works rather than grace. This is the way of the myriads of religions out there that focus on what you have to do and achieve. This is where the gospel of Jesus Christ strikes at the heart of the matter; it is precisely because we cannot do it ourselves that Jesus Christ had to come. Our good works are bad, our morality is immoral, and our righteousness is self-attained and worthless; the reason we think any differently is because we judge ourselves and others by our own standards. However, regardless of our standards, the only standard that matters is that which we will be judged with by God, and based on His standard, we fall woefully short. This is why we place our total faith in what Jesus has done for us, and not what we presume to do for Him.
With the foundation of any growth we experience being God and not our own efforts, we can be sure that we will grow, for ‘I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus’ (Phil. 1:6). As we ‘work out our salvation with fear and trembling’ (Phil. 2:12), He works in us ‘both to will and to work for His good pleasure.’ (Phil. 2:13)
The Application
Isn’t it liberating to know that your growth, while requiring your own efforts, finds its root in God?The Father works in us through the Holy Spirit to conform us into the image of our Lord Jesus Christ. If you find yourself doubting your growth, take time and examine yourself: your desires, your attitudes, your relationship with God. These things might not be what they are ought to be or what you would like them to be (eg Phil. 3:12-14), but it is likely that you will notice some growth over the years. Still, seek His help in prayer that He might help you spend more time in His Word (Ps. 119:9), and may He continue His work in you as His masterpiece; after all, though the clay ought to be pliable in the hands of the Potter, it is ultimately Him doing the sculpting.
‘For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.’ (Eph. 2:10)
