How to Tell if You're Growing Spiritually

TAKING MEASUREMENTS

Down at the foot of the basement stairs is a growth chart recording the kids' heights.  It was always an exciting moment for them to go downstairs with dad and the tape measure to see how much they've grown.  Usually, they were not disappointed.

While our physical growth, whether upward or outward, is obvious, our spiritual growth is less easy to recognize.  We can't see our spiritual growth.  It's intangible.  So there must be another way to notice progress.

YOU CAN TELL IF YOU'RE GROWING SPIRITUALLY WHEN YOU LOOK BACK AND SEE THE ERROR OF YOUR OLD WAYS

The apostle Paul was saved dramatically on the road to Damascus (Acts 9).  The starting point for his spiritual growth occurred at the moment of salvation.  No one can mature spiritually without first being made alive in Christ.  The Bible calls this being quickened, being born again, and becoming a new creature.  All spiritual growth begins at the moment of salvation, when you admit you're a good-for-nothing low-life sinner falling far short of the mark.  But then, hopefully, you realize, with gratitude in your heart, that Jesus Christ loves you despite your total and absolute depravity even to the point of voluntarily giving up His life for you on the cross (Matt 26:53).  What great love Christ has for you!  The apostle Paul came to this realization, this starting point on the journey of progressive spiritual maturity.  Listen to the words of this changed man:

Philippians 3:7-8  But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.  Yeah doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.

If you can look back and remember a specific moment in time when you admitted your sin, confessed your sin, and, perhaps with tears rolling down your cheeks, acknowledged the fact that Jesus gave His life to save your soul, to enable you to enter heaven when you die, not because of any good you've ever done, but because of the acceptable sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for you, then you have embarqued upon the only genuine spiritual journey.  The moment of your salvation is the starting point, the new birth.

Paul used to think he was a pretty good person.  He was one whom others esteemed, .  He was a real go-getter, building quite a reputation for himself as an esteemed Pharisee and persecutor of Christians;

Philippians 3:5-6  Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

A MARK OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY IS PUTTING YOUR FAMILY HERITAGE IN PERSPECTIVE

Are you proud of the stock from which you were born?  Paul was able to look back and see a major error in his past worldly thinking.  He boasted that he was "of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin".  People without Christ today will sometimes boast of their heritage, of their ancestral roots.  It defines them.   It gives them an anchor in their communities, a place to belong.  But that anchor doesn't hold.  That anchor lacks weight and moves about in the tempestuous sea of life.  It's insufficient.  It provides no real stability or rest.  After his spiritual awakening, this was something Paul realized.  He could look back and see that he had grown from identification with his heritage to identification with Christ his Saviour. 

A MARK OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY IS PUTTING YOUR RELIGIOUS HERITAGE INTO PERSPECTIVE

Some of us have been born into a Christian heritage.  Some can look back and say, I was born and raised in a Christian family, gone to church all my life, heard God's Word spoken and preached regularly.  So that's where my confidence is, in my church, in the faith of my youth or the faith of my parents.  Tradition is what defines me.  That's what I cling to.  But that is just as weak.  You cannot place your confidence in the situation into which you were born.  You must personally call upon Christ for salvation.  No one can do it for you.

Romans 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

A MARK OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY IS DEPENDENCE UPON GOD

When we're young, no mountain is too tall to climb.  We have enormous confidence in our strength, abilities, and mental prowess.  Some people enter their Christian walks with extreme confidence still in themselves.  But Paul realized right away that any strength he could muster was not is own, but from the One who provided him his strength;

Philippians 4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Note that the verse doesn't just say "I can do all things."  We cannot leave out Christ.  Evidence of spiritual maturity is having a dependence upon Christ in everything we do.

HAVING A RIGHT HEART

Can you look back at past years and say, "you know, I've grown since then.  I can't believe I used to do that.  What was I thinking?"  Do you see progress?  Do you see movement in your own life from worldliness toward Godliness?  Have you left worldliness behind or are you still deep in the muck of it?  Have your wagon wheels gotten stuck?  Are you parked there and see no forward progress?  How do you get out of it?  Are you really a Christian or have you just fallen into line with your tradition?   Remember, Christianity is not centrally about performing good works.   Christianity begins by admitting you are a sinner and asking God for forgiveness.  Have you done that?

And if you are truly saved from the grip of hell then desire Godliness.  Simply ask Him for help and guidance.  He will help you. He will guide you.  But it has to start in the desires of your own heart.

Fed-up with Life?

WISHING IT WOULD END?

If you've ever felt like you wanted to just give it all up then you're not alone.  For someone with nothing to live for, it seems to make honest, logical sense to desire it all to end.  What's the point of prolonging the suffering?  Since much of life is a struggle with work, pain, relationships, health problems, and finances, an end to all that turmoil sounds appealing.  Death can sound like a relief.

But most who think they have no reason to live also have no real purpose for their lives.  They have no reason to wake up every morning.  Maybe they're lonely.  Maybe they're sick.  Or maybe they're just at wit's end.  They're just occupying a slot in time, going through all the motions, until they grow old and are buried in the grave.  But what happens to them in eternity?

God has a purpose for every one's life.  The reason why God allowed you to be born here below was so you could be born from up above (John 3:7).  When you finally see the futility of your life, of your existence, you are very close to salvation.  You have seen through the delusion of all the world's empty reasons for living.  You have seen through all of life's distractions.  A sign on some one's front door says, "Live, Laugh, Love".   Is that a strong enough peg to hang your hat on?  Or are you desirous of more substance?

The only satisfying reason for living is to know God.  And knowing God can only begin at the moment of salvation, at the instant in time when you acknowledge your sin (Rom 3:23) and trust that Jesus Christ died to give you everlasting life (1 Jn 5:13).  Being saved is an event in time.  Salvation is not a process.  Salvation is not becoming a better person.  Salvation is ending reliance upon your own strength and trusting Christ alone (Psalm 118:8).  Once a person is saved, a whole new life opens up . . . a life with true meaning and purpose.

FED-UP BELIEVERS

It's understandable why non-believers have nothing significant to live for but what about genuine Christians?   Do true believers in God ever get so down in the dumps that they wish it all would end?  After all, won't our existence be better when this miserable life is over?  As soon as this life ends, we have a great future awaiting us because we've repented and accepted God's gift of salvation (Eph 2:8-9).   The apostle Paul had no fear for the end of his earthly life.  He knew, with absolute certainty, what to expect when his earthly life ended;

2 Cor 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 

GOD KNOWS YOUR LIMIT

Taking one's life, of course, is sin.  It's murder and breaks the sixth commandment (Exod 20:13).  If you're in the category of a believer exasperated with your situation in this life then it's comforting to know that God has instituted a limit to what He allows you to suffer;

1 Cor 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it].

IN GOOD COMPANY

If you've ever teetered on the precipice of that which you can bear then you're in good company.  You're not alone.  It's wrong, of course, for believers to constantly wish life was over.  After all, we have God's hope in our lives.  We have His abiding presence, the Holy Spirit, walking with us at all times.  We are the only ones equipped with the ability to reflect God's light in a dark world.  But sometimes, just sometimes, we feel like we can't take it anymore.  Consider the shocking inner conversations of those famous in the faith who all, at times, wished they were dead;

Moses - And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness (Num 11:15)

Jonah - Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for [it is] better for me to die than to live (Jonah 4:3)

Elijah - But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I [am] not better than my fathers (1 Kings 19:4).

LIVING IS MORE NEEDFUL

God has a mission for every Christian who feels fed up with life.  God wants you to stay the course, fight the good fight, keep the faith.  There are people in far more desperate situations.  Just think of the many without Christ destined for hell (Matt 7:13).  All believers are ready for the next life.  We don't wonder what will happen because we know we're going to heaven (1 Jn 5:13).  The apostle Paul knew where he would be better off but he found it more necessary to spend his life in service;

Phil 1:24  For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh [is] more needful for you.

Ever wonder why you were born when you were born, into your particular country, community, and family?  Sometimes people wish they were born in different eras.  After visiting Old Sturbridge Village here in New England and being temporarily transported back in time, it seems like the 1830s may have been a better time to live, a simpler day.  But remember that of the 6,000 years of human history, God appointed you to be born now, in this generation, in this particular situation, at this specific point in time.  It's not luck.  It's not coincidence.  God knew you before you were even formed in your mother's womb (Jer 1:5)  and your presence in this world at this time was no accident.

So what, exactly, is your mission?  Only God can answer that.  Ask Him.  Most likely, your mission will have something to do with your abilities and spiritual gifts.  But whatever God's specific mission is for your life, there is a general mission in common with all believers.  And you're feelings of desperation are understandable if you're neglecting any of these needful spiritual engagements.  He wants you to be in His word.  He wants you to be in prayer.  And he wants you to be in a church where you can be fed the truth of God's word, be encouraged in the faith, be in fellowship with like-minded believers, and serve God.

GETTING BACK ON TRACK

If you're a Christian and feeling life is worthless then just remember, the Son of God took the form of a man and died on cross for you.  Christ died so you may live.  He values your life highly.  Is it possible that your life seems useless because you're out of the will of God?  Have you been neglecting Him?  Have you made decisions with your life that bring Him dishonor?  If you're not in God's will then you know it.  Perhaps, in His mercy, He's telling you that the path you're taking is wrong with only continued pain and misery ahead.  It's time to turn around and go back in the right direction.  If you're desiring your life to be over, wishing it all away, then ask yourself; Is there a change you need to make in your life to get back on the right track? 

Is God Still Waiting to Hear from You?

LIFE THROWS US PUNCHES

If you've ever been punched in the gut then you know what it's like to have the wind knocked out of you.  Usually, it's an unexpected blow that catches you off-guard.  I know it happened to me at least once when I was a kid but I don't remember who threw the punch or what I did to deserve it.  I just remember feeling sick for a while afterwards.

Life has a way of throwing punches at us.  Something unfortunate happens and it feels like being punched in the stomach.  Whatever the unexpected calamity may be, it usually catches us unprepared.  And while we're in the initial shock of the situation, hopefully, if prayer has been integrated into our lifestyle, we'll take it immediately to the Lord in prayer. 

EVERY CHRISTIAN SHOULD CULTIVATE A LIFESTYLE OF PRAYER
A prayer-filled lifestyle is one that speaks regularly and often to God.  We don't have to wait until bedtime, get on our knees, clasp our hands together in prayer-like fashion, and bow our heads.  While there is certainly nothing wrong with prayer taking that preparatory position, a lifestyle of prayer is so much more. 

A lifestyle of prayer is one that seeks God in the morning, noon, and night.  Being a person of prayer is speaking to God while driving, in a telephone conversation, working, reading, or even in the shower.  A prayerful person prays anywhere at anytime.  A believer with a lifestyle of prayer realizes that the line of communication with God is always open and that He hears every plea.  And a sign of spiritual maturity in  believers is when we go to God in prayer at the first sign of trouble.  If prayer has been an integral part of our lives, then we'll take it to Him right away, out of habit.

Some who have never been born-again will occasionally pray.  Many religious folk will pray daily.  But there's really only one prayer that the lost, whether religious or not, must utter; "God, if you're real, then show me".  God will answer that sinner's honest prayer.  Whether someone is religious, secular, or just plain seeking truth and meaning in life, God will answer every lost soul who genuinely seeks Him.

2 Peter 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

While God awaits the repentance of sinners, He is actively involved in hearing and answering the prayers of saints.  But unfortunately, many of us neglect God in prayer.  Perhaps we don't realize that our ability to communicate directly to God in prayer came at a great price.  It cost the life of the Son of God.  This flippant evasion of prayer reminds me of an observation about today's Christian youth by the president of Bob Jones University; 

"Many . . . have gone to church, have been reared in Christian homes and have known the benefits of Christian education for as long as they can remember. For many, that upbringing also included an early profession of faith in Christ. One pitfall for those who have enjoyed such blessings and for whom the Gospel has become so common, however, is a subtle complacency that comes about through familiarity. The gift of salvation can subconsciously become esteemed as almost commonplace and cheap" (Stephen Jones).

Some of today's Christian youth may view the gospel as "commonplace and cheap," but how many adult believers, far from reaching full spiritual maturity ourselves, view the familiar privilege of prayer as "commonplace and cheap"?  How many of us have become complacent with prayer?  With every finger we point at the above-mentioned ungrateful youth, there are two fingers pointing right back at us.

Matthew 7:3  And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

WE SHOULD CULTIVATE A LIFESTYLE OF PRAYER BECAUSE WE ARE WEAK
To cultivate something is to promote or improve it's growth. We cultivate a vegetable garden by providing water, nourishment, pulling weeds, and providing sufficient sunlight. It takes attention and labor. The prayer lives of today's Christians need attention and labor.

In 2 Chronicles 20, the king of Judah, Jehoshaphat, found out that his kingdom was about to be invaded by several enemies who had banded together against him.   At the first sign of his kingdom's impending doom, he proclaimed a fast and gathered all the people together for prayer to the Lord;

"For we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee" (2 Chronicles 20:12). 

This ancient king had enough humility to admit that he was weak and vulnerable before all his kingdom-dwellers.  Today, believers, just like anyone else in this world, will strategize, manipulate, or somehow try to figure out, in our own strength, how to get relief from the great forces against us.  This didn't work for Asa in 2 Chronicles 16:12-13, who sought a physician for his foot condition but never asked God for help, and neither will it work for us.  We are supposed to be a people of prayer.  We are supposed to go to God often in both good times and bad.  But sadly, we don't.  We're weak and need God's help but we don't even ask Him.

James 4:2  Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 
 
How many times do we have to engage the great forces of distress, misfortune, and hard times, before we realize, "hey, I should've asked God to help me".  How many times do we rely upon our own might, our own thoughts, our own strength, instead of asking God for help?  As the ol' hymn says; "Are you burdened with a load of care?  Take it to the Lord in prayer".  But don't just say a prayer.  Be a person of prayer.  Do you need to give prayer to God more attention in your life?