Conditions for Spiritual Growth

March 20, 2023

“I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.”[1]

“Lord, please help me to live more like Jesus.” Have you ever approached God with some version of this prayer? When we consider the life of Christ, how he suffered ridicule and torture for the sake of his enemies, asking for a life like Christ’s takes courage. Yet, Jesus calls us to godliness[2], not because our deeds are necessary for salvation[3], but because he wants us to be impactful as his hands and feet in a hurting world. So, how do we go about growing spiritually? What are some conditions that can help us flourish as part of the body of Christ?

Grace and Humility

Ultimately, spiritual growth is achieved through God’s grace[4]. In him we live, move, and have our being[5], and without him we can accomplish nothing worthwhile[6]. The realization that salvation and growth are gifts of God, not dependent on works, instills humility in us, lest we brag of our good deeds. Yet, we understand that a vibrant Christian life will also bear fruit.[7]

Grace and humility go hand in hand, in terms of spiritual growth. Scripture tells us that if we humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord, he will lift us up[8]. God delights in fulfilling the requests of spiritual seekers,[9] and he says that we will find him when we search for him with all our heart.[10] However, seeking God’s direction requires humility, recognizing who we are compared to who God is, and acknowledging that we have room to grow to achieve Christlikeness. A person who believes that he or she is perfect or invincible will have little motivation to seek God’s guidance.[11] Still, humility is not a natural state for human beings to dwell in for any significant amount of time. Sustaining a meek attitude requires some conscious effort. The godliest brothers and sisters among us likely acknowledge their imperfect human nature regularly, as athletes who are successful in their events train vigorously to maintain their skills and do not take their strength for granted.

Communication with God

Jesus said that we must abide in him in order to thrive, to be connected as a branch is to a vine.[12] It may seem that a branch doesn’t do much to stay connected to a vine, that that connection is simply its default state. In that case we should remember that it is possible to take horticultural metaphor too far. While a branch may passively stay attached to its vine, believers must actively remain diligent to stay connected to Christ. We need to regularly communicate with him in order to maintain that relationship, just as we do with our closest family and friends. When we allow distractions to obstruct our relationship with Christ, the connection will lose clarity, and our spiritual life may start to lack direction. Conversely, as we grow closer to Jesus, his voice will ring out clearly and we will recognize his voice, as a sheep recognizes the voice of its shepherd.[13] It is true that if God has an urgent calling in mind for us, he has ways of getting our attention, even when we are distracted, like Moses with the burning bush or Balaam and his talking donkey. However, we can observe that God does not typically operate in this dramatic fashion, but rather through the quiet, everyday faithfulness of men and women who listen to him. While God is capable of moving mountains and stirring earthquakes, his direction is often found in the stillness of expectant prayer.[14]

Community

Our brothers and sisters are invaluable to us as we navigate this strait and narrow way[15]. Note that the word used in Matthew 7:14 is “strait,” which means “narrow,” as opposed to “straight.” Those of us who have lived life for any amount of time know that the paths God leads us on are often anything but straight! We need mentors, mentees, and peers to offer help and encouragement as we confront life’s zigs and zags. During a trial, one of Satan’s most useful tools is to convince the believer that he or she is alone in the struggle. However, once we start being open with the weights of our hearts, God will provide brothers and sisters who can relate to the situation. We Christians face hardship, in part, so that our wisdom and experiences may be spiritual balm for those who face similar challenges in the future.[16]

At times, we may find ourselves believing that our circumstances are relatively easy compared to those of others, so we should keep our challenges to ourselves and not share our personal prayer requests. Have you ever wrestled with a situation and thought, “I am really struggling, but how could I ask anyone to add this to their overflowing prayer list when other people’s situations are so much harder?” Circumstances that are challenging for one may not be challenging for another, but that does not diminish the legitimacy of the struggle. A godly friend or mentor will not dismiss your feelings. As members of the body of Christ, we all have different strengths and weaknesses. We are instructed to bear one another’s burdens[17] and to recognize that if one member of the body suffers, all suffer with it.[18] Challenges have their place, but growth is uncertain when you are overburdened with care. As a church family, we should frequently comfort each other and build each other up, in order to help the body thrive.[19]

Practice

Spiritual growth is ultimately a gift of God, but we can encourage growth in our lives by being practicing Christians, by walking in good works that are ordained of God.[20] Scripture identifies many activities that would be near to the heart of Christ, including visiting orphans and widows[21], feeding the hungry, providing shelter to those in need, clothing the naked, caring for the sick, or ministering to prison inmates[22]. These are wonderful activities, but this list is not exhaustive. Who is hurting in your community? In your church? How can you serve those individuals? Ask God to open your eyes to see the subtle needs around you. As the Word tells us, when we serve “the least of these,” those who society has cast off or simply does not notice, we serve the Lord himself.[23] As we draw nearer to God, he will draw near to us[24] and will shape us into women and men who he can use to bolster his kingdom.

[1] 1 Corinthians 3:7

[2] Matthew 5:48

[3] Ephesians 2:8

[4] 1 Corinthians 3:7

[5] Acts 17:28

[6] John 15:5

[7] James 2:17

[8] James 4:10

[9] Matthew 7:7-8

[10] Jeremiah 29:13

[11] Proverbs 15:13; Proverbs 18:12

[12] John 15:5

[13] John 10:27

[14] 1 Kings 19:11-12

[15] Matthew 7:14

[16] 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

[17] Galatians 6:2

[18] 1 Corinthians 12:26

[19] 1 Thessalonians 5:11

[20] Ephesians 2:10

[21] James 1:27

[22] Matthew 25:35-36

[23] Matthew 25:40

[24] James 4:8

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Alway thankful

October 21, 2026

As we approach the end of fall and the harvest season, we often focus our attention on Thanksgiving Day. We are fortunate to live in a land that recognizes the need to pause and give thanks to our great God for the many blessings he bestows upon us. However, the Bible calls us to be thankful in all times and circumstances – not just once a year. “O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good.” [i] “In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” [ii] These two verses are similar and yet can be interpreted differently if quoted in isolation. Thanking God for his goodness seems an easy commandment to obey; however, some circumstances are more difficult to appreciate. Giving thanks or being thankful is referenced over one hundred times in scripture. And naturally it can seem easier to give thanks when circumstances are pleasing. It is easier to thank God when a loved one repents. It is easier to thank him when we are sitting in church, listening to his Word, worshipping in song, surrounded by faithful believers. It is easier to recite 1 Thess. 5:18 when the trials of life are light and well-spaced. But what happens when life is not going well, circumstances seem impossible, or difficulties seem to pile up? Can we have thankful posture in dire situations or through sad experiences? It is clear in the Bible that by God’s grace and with intentional effort, we can have a thankful spirit and respect toward God even when the load is heavy. Scriptures in Job provide an excellent Old Testament example. After hearing a series of devastating reports about his family and possessions, Job was able to say “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” [iii] After being struck with sore boils from the sole of his foot to his crown and having been ridiculed by his wife for retaining his integrity, Job said “Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” [iv] Job did not minimize the pain of the evil he was experiencing, but in the midst of the devastation he focused his attention on the goodness and faithfulness of God. Likewise, the disciples in the New Testament were often faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles as they spread the Word of God. Yet they looked upon their afflictions as a privilege. After being beaten and commanded to not speak in the name of Jesus, “They departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.” [v] At the same time, when Stephen was stoned, they grieved deeply at the devastating loss, yet trusted in God’s grace and goodness to see them through and somehow redeem the worst of circumstances. -----------------CONTINUED PORTION BELOW-------------------- Remembering the Lord's graciousness and track record of bringing good out of evil can help us maintain a thankful heart despite the challenges we face. Whether amidst hard circumstances or easy, we can focus on the goodness and faithfulness of God. Without intentional focus, we can tend to overlook gratitude when life is good because the very simple and basic needs of life are so easily realized. An abundance of material blessings can lead us to take basic needs for granted. However, being grounded in a thankful spirit can help carry us when sometimes things do not seem abundant. Simple disciplines or practices can help us foster this thankful spirit. Taking the time to pause and write a list of all we have received from God, giving him thanks for his goodness can help us turn from an entitled mindset toward a thankful mindset. Remembering God's goodness can be especially helpful when life is hard. The practice of gratitude journaling helps us remain focused on God above all during these overwhelming times. Beyond the physical needs that can be so easy to count, he also provides many spiritual blessings. In time of need, he provides us with an abundance of grace that gives us love we do not deserve and helps us serve him in ways far beyond what we could do of our own ability. God’s wisdom and his compassion assure us that he will provide for all our needs, and yet he will also withhold what is harmful if we will allow him to do so. He knows our needs and in his infinite wisdom he will supply all our needs. A practice of worshipping God can also help grow our spiritual life and encourage grateful hearts. God’s truths can be engraved into our minds as we sing and praise him, no matter the circumstances. In addition, our church body encourages us to connect, travel, and grow together as believers, helping one another during both joyous and hard times in life. This spiritual connection with others is a spiritual blessing that can easily be forgotten. Finally, many of us have been born into families where we were taught the truth of God’s Word, being exposed since we were young to the promise of salvation through Jesus Christ and the knowledge of our great and loving God whom we can call Father. This thankful spirit is often born out of knowing the Father, whose image we carry. Having a clear vision and understanding of God’s character and attributes can help us develop a thankful spirit. Among the many reasons to thank God are his power, his grace, and his mercy. We thank him for the love he showed when he sent his only begotten son, allowing us to have forgiveness of our sins and victory over death through repentance, confession, and faith in his name. He provides his Word, giving us a perfect source of wisdom and direction for our lives. His Holy Spirit provides believers with comfort, conviction, and guidance toward all truth. In addition, there are many other attributes of God to consider such as his goodness, presence, sustenance, protection, and many more. The implications for our lives of the many attributes in this list, which could be much longer, are beyond human comprehension but worth contemplating more deeply as we practice a life of gratitude. Whether you are in a joyous time of life or a time when life is difficult, may the remembrance of these many truths provide a new understanding to the Scripture’s challenge to, “In every thing, give thanks.” [vi] May this Thanksgiving holiday remind you of our great and good God, the loving sacrifice of Jesus, and the faithful presence of the Holy Spirit who has come to guide us not only in the good, but also in the difficult of life. And may this testimony of thankfulness greatly affect our own lives and the lives of those around us. [i] Psalm 107:1 [ii] I Thess. 5:18 [iii] Job 1:21 [iv] Job 2:10 [v] Acts 5:41 [vi] I Thess. 5:18