God’s love is unconditional, but it is not permission to remain the same. His love changes us. That is what growth and maturity in Christ are all about.
Why Growth Matters
If you’ve had or been around a baby, think back to the beginning. You loved that baby from the moment it was born, but you did not want it to stay a baby forever. You were glad when the baby grew out of diapers! You celebrated when they learned to feed themselves. You were excited when they learned to walk. Growth was natural and expected.
It is the same in our spiritual lives. When we are born again, we begin as spiritual infants. That is okay for a season, but it is not God’s plan for us to remain babies in the faith.
Unfortunately, many Christians never grow beyond that stage. God is calling us to mature.
Signs of Spiritual Growth
Maturing in Christ means learning to walk with Him daily. It means loving people who are not like you. It means resisting sinful habits and making choices that honor God. Growth can also look like this:
- Refusing to say things that do not need to be said
- Avoiding typing what does not need to be typed
- Turning away from what does not need to be watched
If you are a new believer and you struggle in these areas, that is okay. Growth takes time. But after years of walking with Christ, there should be progress.
When God Puts You in a Submission Hold
Even mature believers wrestle with God. We pray and question Him. We wonder why things are not going our way. God listens, but He will not always answer according to our desires. He answers according to His will and His glory.
This is why we pray in Jesus’ name. Our prayers must align with His purposes. Sometimes God has to pin us down like a wrestler until we surrender and say, “Uncle!” (He’s really our Father) That surrender feels like losing, but Jesus said, “Whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” When God wins, you win.
God loves you as you are, but He loves you too much to leave you that way. Let His love transform you today.
It’s time to put the baby food down and let God show you how to walk. He is accepting, but, more importantly, He’s life-changing.
Reflect:
Where is God asking you to grow? Is there an area where you need to surrender and let Him win?