Are You Growing in the Faith?

               Looking at the creation story in Genesis chapter 1, one thing that was noticeable is the dynamism. None of the living things were made to remain static but each was to multiply after its kind and fill the earth. This gives us the picture that every living thing is expected to grow. Even as humans, we go through different stages of growth: the morning, noontime and evening. This same principle we see play out as we come into Christ as born-again Christians. It is God’s ultimate goal that we grow into the full stature of Christ. If one is born-again and is not growing in the things of God, something is grossly wrong, and the culprit is the heart. When doubt and disbelief comes into the heart of the person, it chokes out the efficacy of the word heard. As born-again Christians, we must be aware that growing in God is not automatic but a conscious walk and push towards growth: “And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it and patiently produce a huge harvest” (Luke 8:15, NLT). I dare say, everything has been engineered by the prince of this world to make it almost impossible to grow in God’s word, but a child of God that desires growth must be diligent and decisive in his or her decision to grow. The person must cling to the word he or she has heard no matter how much the circumstances try to negate it. At this point, we have no option than to hand ourselves back to our Faithful Creator. As we do this, we activate the promise of God that says: “For His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness” (2Peter 1:3). The reason why most find this an herculean task is because fruitfulness in God’s word requires a noble and good heart. A heart that submits itself under the mighty Hand of God no matter what its flesh may be screaming at that time; a heart that believes that its totality and its direction belongs wholly to God. Growth will equally come to the one that is consistent, diligent and patient in the face of any situation; knowing that God is using such situations to do a great work in them. Be determined to be consistent, diligent and patient in your walk with God and you will be like “A tree planted beside streams of water that bears its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers” (Psalm 1:3). God bless you.