NEVER STOP GROWING

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended..." - Philippians 3:13

Personal growth is a lifetime process.  For most people, the idea of growth is scaring and frustrating.  Many people tend to think that the learning process ended at graduation.  They have no desire to learn and grow.  Sadly, many people must be forced to grow, or they will never grow at all.

This is a problem, especially for men.  I am told that women account for 90% of all book sales.  For the most part, men refuse to read.  In fact, a shocking number of men have never read a book since leaving high school.  It is sad that most men simply want to work and play ... but stay the same.

The Apostle Paul had a desire to be a better Christian.  When he wrote, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended," he was basically saying, "I have not arrived yet."  Despite his growth, Paul was not satisfied that he had reached some pinnacle of potential.  He knew that there was more to learn and experience.

What about you?  Are you growing?  Let me give this simple advice:  Never stop growing!  I give this advice to myself as well as others.

The Apostle Peter's final written words in Scripture were simple:  "But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior..."  For a Christian, growth is expected. 

Let me challenge one false concept about growth.  You may read your Bible daily and go to church every time the doors are open & yet fail to grow.  Growth is more than obtaining information.  There are many immature Christians who know doctrine and church practice, but are no closer to godliness than ever before.  They may be intimate with the church by-laws and be walking far from God.

Let me give you three basic steps of growth:

1.  LONGING

First of all, there needs to be a passion for growth.  If you are content with your spiritual progress, you need to prayerfully reexamine your life.  I believe that a growing Christian has a holy discontentment in his heart.  He longs to know more about God so He may love God more and obey Him more explicitly.  One way to cultivate a passion for growth is to hang around those who are actively growing.  The church is a great place to find people who are growing.  Get close to growing people.  Their passion may overflow into your life.  Another way to develop a passion for growth is to focus on the benefits of growth.  The upside potential is tremendous for growing people. 

2.  LEARNING

Learning is the second step of growth.  Once you have a passion to grow, you seek to learn more about God, yourself and the Christian life.  Obviously, Christian growth includes regular time in the Word.  The Bible is the best place to learn about the Lord.  The Bible is food for the soul, a light for your path and gives strength for the challenges ahead.  In addition to reading the Bible daily, I recommend that you read from a good devotional daily, such as Charles Spurgeon's "Morning and Evening," or the classic, "My Utmost For His Highest."  Although you may not have the resources for a large library, I encourage you to read classic books by Christian authors like A. W. Tozer, Charles Spurgeon, Andrew Murray and E. M. Bounds.  Never stop learning!

3.  LIVING

The third step of growth is to implement the things you learn in everyday life.  This is where many well-meaning Christians fail.  Many church members have perfect attendance at a Bible Study class and keep a good notebook of study notes, yet fail to apply the things they learn.  Sadly, American Christians are spiritually obese ... we keep digesting truth but never obey what is taught.  If growth stops with learning, we tend to have a lot of head-knowledge that never leads to genuine growth.

Here's the bottom line.  Growth is all about change.  If you aren't changing into the person God wants you to be, you aren't growing.  As humans, we tend to resist change.  To us, change is uncomfortable.  Often, change requires us to do new things and experience new adventures.  We'd prefer the comfort of a church pew any day rather than actively walk by faith & be used by God. 

Growth is a work of God, but we must be willing to participate in the process.  He expects us to sow & cultivate the seed --- and then He will bless the seed to grow.  Seed in the hand will never produce a harvest.  Seed that is properly planted and cultivated may yield a great increase.

By faith, look ahead one year from now.  Do you wish to be at the same spiritual level you are right now?  Do you long to be a better Christian?  Do you long to be closer to Jesus?  Do you long to have a fervent, vibrant prayer-life?  Do you want to be a mature believer?  If so, the process needs to start today.  Have a longing for growth.  Be learning so that you can grow.  Live out the truth daily so that growth may occur.  Begin today.

Never stop growing!!!