Gifts are unflighted, flashing lights removed, time has changed and Easter is a long way off. We have just celebrated Christmas, the birth of the Son of God. Guide and the saint, peace on earth, goodwill for men; Christmas is over, and now?
During the Christmas season we celebrate the coming of God to Earth in the form of a man, do we know how Jesus came? Like a baby wrapped in cloth, do we know who Jesus came from? to Mary and Joseph, to the shepherds, the question is? Why did you come?
- Jesus Himself explained in John 10.
- 10 that He came so that we could have life and have it abundantly; Jesus came to this manger in his mantle so that we could have an abundant life.
- Now and in eternity.
- I believe that an abundant life is equivalent to a life of spiritual growth.
Christmas was conceived by God as the starting point of our abundant Christian life, the beginning of our spiritual growth, Jesus came so that we could know God and, once we met Him, called us to grow. Spiritual maturity is not a specialty, privilege bestowed upon the most pious among us. Instead, spiritual growth is god-designed process for each of your children. In 2 Peter 3:18, we read, “On the contrary, grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to be given glory, now as on the day of eternity, amen?
Churches dry out if they don’t grow. Our spiritual life stagnates if we do not grow in our faith. In The Christian life, we never come to an end. There is always more to learn, without experimenting as we study the Word of God and serve God’s people. We must constantly strive to be more Christlike.
As we continue our spiritual journey, we grow with one goal in mind: to conform to the image of Christ. Spiritual growth is about the glory of God, not mine. As I look more like Christ, people will see Jesus as he does. It really is. I must be a mirror of Christ, not an exact replica, but as accurate as possible.
We grew up by God’s grace and direction. Fortunately, we depend not on our own strength and wisdom to achieve this growth, but on its strength and character. I tried to grow with my own strength, according to my own plan, and I failed. He was also broken before God and depended entirely on Him. During these times of rupture and abandonment, I really saw God working.
This would only make sense if Christians who wish to grow seek the counsel of the sovereign Creator of the universe. When someone is looking for directions, they are looking for the most accurate and reliable reference. The God who knows and controls the future will have compassion as we seek to honor it in our daily lives.
The path to spiritual maturity is long and difficult, this effort, this path to spiritual maturity will not be easy, it is a marathon, not a race. President Calvin Coolidge said: “Any growth depends on activity. There is no effortless physical or intellectual development, and does effort mean work?God has called us to work and strive to be more christlike every day.
We must pray and help each other as we mature together in Christ. Christian life is like a sports team, with believers helping, guiding and supporting each other as each of us seeks to be more Christian in their specific circumstances. God has a plan, for me and another plan for you. These differentiated plans are not competitive, but wonderfully complementary.
Pablo Casals, the famous Spanish cellist who lived 97 years old, when he reached 95, a young reporter asked him: “Mr. Casals, you are 95 years old and you are the best cellist ever. Why do you keep practicing?” six hours a day? and Mr. Casals replied, “Why do I think I’m making progress?”
Jesus came this first Christmas to give us an abundant life, now and in eternity, if you do not know Him as Savior, I invite you to begin your journey with him today, if you know Jesus Christ as your Lord, I invite you to grow, to be more and more like Him every day.