I had a friend who would always point out to me that I wasn't growing spiritually.
At every opportunity he got, he would state that I needed to grow.
This made me sad and I kept asking what It meant to be growing spiritually. He asserted that the sign of my growth was when I was walking in boldness and embarking on the work of the ministry.
Whenever he made such utterances, I would look inward. I knew Holy Spirit was working in me. I knew my heart was changing and because of this, I kept getting confused. Why doesn't he see that I'm growing?
I have Apostle Selman's teachings on my phone. One is titled "Be like Him". I heard Apostle Selman talk about the focus of our growth being Jesus Christ. Which is to say that Jesus Christ is the Standard of our growth. He based this teaching on the Book of Colossians.
I learnt from the audio that my growth is measured by my conformity with the image of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the centre of my growth.
I was reading the book of Colossians this morning and I came across the 19th verse of the second chapter which reads, "They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. Colossians 2:19 NIV"
You see, the statement made by this friend of mine caused me to work hard. I worked so hard that at a point, I had become the builder of my own house. I had become Holy Spirit. I was liberated when I came across this portion of Scripture which teaches me that it is God Himself Who causes us to grow.
It is Holy Spirit's work to mold us into the character of Jesus Christ. The plant does not call on the gardener to prune it. The plant's duty is to make sure that it is well-positioned and within the view of the Gardener. So it is with us: He Is the Gardener. He Is the Potter. He Is the Good Shepherd. I am the branch on His Vine. I am the clay. I am the sheep. I don't tell Him what to do. I only avail myself for His molding.
I am not against ministry and the performance of signs and wonders. Our duty is to edify the saints and we have a lot of our brethren out there who need to know Jesus Christ and to experience His power.
We need to understand that the formation of character is needful if we want to make true and eternal impact on earth.
If Jesus truly Is our focus in our quest for growth, then we would remember that for 30yrs, Jesus was groomed in Wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. I share the sentiments of Apostle Selman when he says that it Is when Christ becomes the central focus of our lives that we begin to grow in power and manifest the Spirit of Jesus Christ residing on the inside of you and me.
I pray for you today that your quest for growth will not be based on what you see evident in the lives of your peers or those you see on social media.
I pray that you would place Jesus Christ as the One True Standard for your life.
I pray that you would abound in the knowledge of Jesus and daily yield to His leading.
I pray for you that you will be transformed into the image of Jesus as you continually behold Him.
I pray that you will wax in Spirit and grow in the character of Jesus Christ.
I pray for your heart that it will continue to be vulnerable to the Only One Who Is able to handle all our vulnerabilities.
I pray that Holy Spirit Will imbue in you a corresponding boldness, zeal and love for the work that lies before you.
In Jesus name, I believe that all Is well with you.
With more of God's love,
Sharing Life.
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