More on the Spiritual Life
We talk a lot about growing and maturing in Christ. What do we mean by that sentiment, and how do we take the next step in our spiritual lives? First of all, we may consider a couple verses from the Scriptures concerning Christian growth. For example, Peter instructed, “Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins” (2 Pet 1:5-9). Now, notice that the apostle affirms a few things in this passage (and its context). He teaches that if we are genuine believers, then we do not forget that we were cleansed from our old sins. One sign to know that we have been forgiven is that we continue to make progress. He also promises that Christian growth toward maturity protects believers from falling away. Jesus is the one who emphasize so clearly, “Those who endure until the end will be saved” (Matt 24:13). And, we endure by maturing. We persevere by making progress. Later, Peter will conclude his admonitions with the exhortation, “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet 3:18).
We cannot remain stagnant. If you realize that your prayer life is lacking, then do something about it. If you notice that your church attendance is poor, then set an alarm on Sunday, get out of bed, get ready, and make yourself come to worship the Lord in the assembly of the saints. How astonishing it is that we so often get into spiritual ruts (and in many other aspects of life) that we remain in for weeks, months, and sometimes even years! Do not let this be you! Do not remain stagnant. Stir up the waters of your spiritual life.
Here are just a few very practical examples of how you could take the next step in your spiritual life:
(1) Pray at noon every day
(2) Get on your knees for prayer at least once a day
(3) Invite a friend to lunch once a week for a spiritual conversation
(4) Become a “+1 Member” (adding one class to your Sunday attendance)
(5) Ask (the minister?) for a book/podcast recommendation
(6) Go on a retreat or attend a conference
(7) Challenge yourself spiritually, set some goals