It is interesting to watch a seed grow into a plant. Once the seed is put into the ground, natural processes take over, and it begins its transformation. This process cannot be stopped, as that is what God created the seed for – to grow.
So, following the example of the seed, the Christian is also expected to grow. Remaining in the same place and doing the same things you were doing a few years ago is not what God intended for you.
So how does the Christian grow?
- Germination
Once the seed of faith in Christ is planted in your heart, it must be watered so that it can grow. This seed must be watered regularly, and fed with the right nutrients to speed up its growth.
1 Peter 2:2 “Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation…” (NLT)
What is this pure spiritual milk? This pure milk is the word of God, which one must feed on daily to grow in the faith. The Bible is God’s manual for the Christian life, with detailed instructions on how to live as a Christian.
Psalm 1:2 “But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night.” (NLT)
Do you want to move past the stage of a young Christian? Read the word, pray, and join a Bible-believing fellowship.
2. Development
After germination takes place, tiny green shoots sprout, looking for sunlight to speed up their growth. Without the necessary ingredients for growth, it will die.
It is at this point that several Christians give up on their faith. The distractions of the world prove to be very enticing and overwhelming, causing many to fall away.
1 Samuel 3:19 “As Samuel grew up, the LORD was with him, and everything Samuel said proved to be reliable.”(NLT)
Samuel was a young man growing up at a time when nobody cared much about the Lord, just like the present day. He however stuck to his faith, and God rewarded him by establishing him as a prophet well respected by the people.
Like Samuel, you must decide whether you want to live for the Lord. Resolve to grow in your faith and to develop your relationship with God.
Hebrews 6:1a “So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. “(NLT)
It is time to move past the simple teachings that thrilled you as a new believer. It is time to learn more about God – how he thinks, what pleases him, and how to live for his glory. You may lose some friends at this point, but do not worry. God will give you others who share your desire to learn more about Christ. More importantly, he will walk beside you all through.
Psalm 138:8 “The LORD will work out his plans for my life – for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.” (NLT)
3. Maturity
The tiny little seed is now a fully-grown plant, ready to produce fruit. The growth journey has been quite long, but the little plant did not give up. All it needed was water, sunlight and a little fertilizer to keep it going.
A mature Christian is one who is no longer debating about following Christ. This kind of Christian now focuses on how he or she can draw people to Christ. Reading the Word, prayer, and fellowship is as important at this point as before. Note that the mature Christian must focus on, and balance between Christian growth and bearing fruit.
Philippians 4:8 “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (NLT)
The apostle Paul gives the tips above to Christians who are faced with attacks from the world daily, and need to focus on Christ to gain victory. Think about it – if one focuses on all the things listed in the verse above, there will be nothing else to think about!
John 15:8 “When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. “(NLT)
The Christian who is deeply rooted in the faith attracts people to Christ. That’s the kind of fruit God wants.
Once the seed has germinated, grown and borne fruit, it dies. For the Christian, however, the growth process is continuous. Stay focused on Christ, and rely on him to help you keep growing him through the seasons of your life. He is faithful and will complete the work he has started in you.
Philippians 1:6 “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” (NLT)