Growth, Spiritual

The Spiritual Hard Hat Zone

'Ready Answer' by David F. Maas

How much continuous spiritual progress have we made through the years? Many of us harbor doubts about our conversion, believing we have not made significant spiritual progress. Most of us have encountered spiritual setbacks, perhaps triggered by loss or unfulfilled goals, making it difficult to judge our individual growth. Moreover, many might not recognize spiritual progress even if it were obvious. We desperately need farsighted vision to evaluate spiritual progress. Human beings often refuse to look beyond the temporary obstacles to the finished product. We can be thankful that our forefathers had the vision to see beyond delays and transition stages to the final goal. The Master Contractor has a plan for all of us, with a timetable full of phases and sequences. His plans are so awesome that we can absorb them only in increments, reminding us that His thoughts and ways are far beyond ours. Sometimes, we mistakenly think He is thwarting us when He steers us away from unseen obstacles. If we have confidence in His plan, we can see that setbacks and hard times work for our ultimate good. Approaching difficulties properly often helps us gain a better, more productive perspective. It does not matter whether we see immediate progress in ourselves; the Master Builder knows which pieces fit where. We have responsibility only for judging ourselves and bringing our own minds into submission. We must have confidence that He who has begun a good work in us will complete it. Although our trials are not as severe as those of our Savior, we need the same vision to maintain a positive outlook, expecting occasional obstacles. We all live our entire lives in a spiritual hard-hat zone. The road to conversion is always under construction. Like the apostle Paul, we must press forward to finish our part of the job, understanding that setbacks, detours, delays, or prayers answered contrary to expectations are necessary preludes to our spiritual progress.

Spiritual Maturity

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Spiritual growth is a vital process, akin to the natural development of a seed into a mature, fruit-bearing plant. It occurs invisibly and mysteriously, much like a farmer who sows seed and watches it sprout without fully understanding how it happens. In this way, a person becomes spiritually mature through a gradual process, not through measurable metrics or physical tools, but through means known only to God. He works behind the scenes, providing the necessary resources—light, warmth, water, and nutrients—to foster growth, while the individual must respond to these provisions to progress. This growth is not instantaneous; it unfolds in stages, just as a plant grows from a sprout to a full head of grain. A newly baptized person cannot be expected to exhibit the same self-control as someone who has walked with God for decades. Spiritual maturity requires time, feeding, and cultivation, with God overseeing the process according to His timing and methods. While crude gauges of progress may be visible, such as changes in behavior or understanding, the intricate mechanics of spiritual development remain beyond human comprehension, hidden in the mysterious ways of God. Spiritual maturity is also tied to the concept of harvest and firstfruits, as seen in the significance of the Day of Pentecost. This day represents the harvest of those called by God in this age, who are being prepared as a kind of firstfruits of His creation. The process of becoming spiritually mature mirrors the journey from seed to harvest, where God aims to see not just the initial sprout, but the ripened, finished fruit of righteousness in each person He has chosen for His field. Furthermore, spiritual growth demands active participation. Just as a plant must take in the resources provided to grow, individuals must respond to what God supplies—His grace, gifts, and help. Without this response, there is no progress; stagnation or regression can occur, as seen in some who, despite years in the faith, become like spiritual babes again, unskilled in the word of righteousness due to negligence and inactivity. A maturing Christian, however, applies God's principles daily, making His way habitual and building upon each lesson learned to deepen understanding and practice. The ultimate goal of spiritual maturity is to imitate Christ, always doing the will of God. Christ, as the most spiritually mature Person to walk the earth, lived every thought, word, and deed to please the Father, allowing God to work through Him completely. By following His example and abiding in His word, one becomes truly His disciple, conforming to God's will and achieving spiritual maturity. This is not a process that can be quantified by worldly standards or physical acts, but one that is defined by walking as He walked.

Patience With Growth

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Spiritual growth, much like the cultivation of fruit trees, requires time and diligent effort. Just as peach trees need nurturing through fertilizing, spraying for bugs, thinning fruit, and careful harvesting to produce the best yield, Christians must invest in their spiritual development with patience and labor. Growth is not immediate; there are periods where underlying foundations are being established, even if visible fruit is not yet apparent. We must trust that He is working within us, shaping us for future productivity. He starts with us in similar ways, yet our paths to maturity vary, reflecting individual personalities and challenges. Not all grow at the same pace or in the same manner, requiring tailored care and patience, just as different trees need unique pruning. Growth will occur if He is involved, for He is the Creator who produces fruit in us. We cannot expect instant results, as spiritual maturity mirrors the slow ripening of fruit, taking time to develop fully under His guidance. The period symbolized by Pentecost emphasizes a spiritual harvest, focusing on preparing the firstfruits for His Kingdom. This time, whether viewed as the literal fifty days, the span of a personal conversion, or the entire church age, concentrates on our growth and maturity. He invests His energies into making us complete, desiring us to reflect the quality of His Son. Our role is to align with His work, focusing on our development from the sowing of the gospel seed to glorification. Pentecost highlights the Christian's labor, both external in our interactions with the world and internal in our thoughts and hearts. This season pictures intense effort in sowing and reaping, with the goal of being offered as an acceptable harvest before Him. We must work diligently in our fields and dwellings, understanding that no one else can produce fruit for us; it must be our own labor and growth. His presence is vital in this process, providing the law as a guide, the Spirit for power and inspiration, and His Son as the Head of the church, interceding and blazing the trail for us. These elements are the sun, rain, and soil for our spiritual growth, essential for producing an acceptable harvest. While He is always at work, the emphasis during Pentecost is on our responsibility to actively pursue growth and fruitfulness. We must also recognize His patience and mercy toward us in this journey. Even when fruit is not immediately evident, He grants time and grace, interceding for us to have every opportunity to grow. This divine patience should inspire us to be forbearing with one another, avoiding criticism and instead offering support and prayer to help brethren overcome struggles. As He works tirelessly with us, we too must be patient, understanding that growth takes time and persistent effort, both in ourselves and in others.

Growth, Spiritual

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