In the coming year if you leave your spiritual growth totally up to God, you will not be much more mature at the end of the year than when you started. Now if you think that it is all in your hands, then that is a big mistake as well. God could make everyone accept Jesus and avoid Hell if He so desired…but He does not. He could cause all those who enter into His family by way of salvation to become fully developed, mature Believers…but He chooses not to. God decided that spiritual growth, which is more like spiritual development, would be a partnership between The Holy Spirit and others. He told the Disciples in the great commission to “go and make disciples” not go and I will make disciples.
It appears that for the most part Believers think spiritual growth comes by magic….that it just happens along the way of life. That God is going to cause all things to ultimately work out for my good and His glory without me doing my part…..but there is more to the verse than that. The Holy Spirit provides the inspiration for me to make the changes needed in my life or the prodding to do what needs to be done. He also provides or allows growth opportunities…but I must respond correctly for growth to occur.
While there may be isolated incidents of life change in a person’s life, a consistent pattern rarely develops without the assistance of other Believers investment. The best case scenario is to have someone who is investing in you while at the same time be investing in someone else…..discipleship from both sides….have a mentor and be a mentor. I have found that I grow as much from the relationship of “who I am investing in” than who is investing in me. This occurs because of the accountability and it constantly reminds me of things I know but may have forgotten or are no longer emphasizing but need to be. It helps me to stay on track by knowing someone is watching me model what it is I am teaching. The year 2020 is upon us…will you be intentional about your spiritual development this year?....if not then you will probably be about the same going into 2021. (Thoughts From the Trail)
It appears that for the most part Believers think spiritual growth comes by magic….that it just happens along the way of life. That God is going to cause all things to ultimately work out for my good and His glory without me doing my part…..but there is more to the verse than that. The Holy Spirit provides the inspiration for me to make the changes needed in my life or the prodding to do what needs to be done. He also provides or allows growth opportunities…but I must respond correctly for growth to occur.
While there may be isolated incidents of life change in a person’s life, a consistent pattern rarely develops without the assistance of other Believers investment. The best case scenario is to have someone who is investing in you while at the same time be investing in someone else…..discipleship from both sides….have a mentor and be a mentor. I have found that I grow as much from the relationship of “who I am investing in” than who is investing in me. This occurs because of the accountability and it constantly reminds me of things I know but may have forgotten or are no longer emphasizing but need to be. It helps me to stay on track by knowing someone is watching me model what it is I am teaching. The year 2020 is upon us…will you be intentional about your spiritual development this year?....if not then you will probably be about the same going into 2021. (Thoughts From the Trail)
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