Growing God's Way: The Secret to Spiritual Growth

Are you growing in your walk with God? More importantly, are you growing God's way? These are crucial questions every believer must honestly examine. While many of us feel we're growing spiritually because we're gaining knowledge about Christianity, true spiritual growth requires something deeper - abiding in Christ.

What Does It Mean to Abide in Christ?

In John 15, Jesus presents himself as "the true vine" and declares that his Father is the husbandman - the one who tends the vineyard. This imagery would have resonated powerfully with Jesus' listeners, who understood Israel's history as God's vineyard that had failed to produce fruit despite his careful tending.

Jesus announces that he is the fulfillment of what Israel was meant to be - the true vine. Those who put their faith in him become part of the new Israel, the church, with new hearts that are teachable rather than stubborn.

The Power of Abiding

"'Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me'" - John 15:4. The word "abide" implies permanence of position - sinking our roots deep into our relationship with God.

This isn't passive waiting. As Paul wrote, "'I press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus'" - Philippians 3:14. Abiding requires intentional effort and commitment.

Are You Really Abiding?

True abiding means walking with God consistently, not just calling on him when we're in trouble. It's not about pursuing our own hobbies and interests while neglecting our relationship with Christ, then wondering why we lack spiritual power.

Scripture gives us examples of those who walked with God: Enoch walked with God and was taken up, Noah walked with God through judgment, and Abraham was called God's friend. "'Can two walk together, except they be agreed?'" - Amos 3:3. When we walk with God, he sets the terms and conditions.

The Problem with Shortcuts

We live in a culture that prizes speed and convenience. We want everything instantly - from communication to food to entertainment. Unfortunately, we often try to carry this attitude into our relationship with God, looking for shortcuts and easy angles.

But there are no shortcuts to spiritual growth. The only way is to abide - to sink your roots deep into your relationship with Jesus Christ and continually walk with him. In time, you will see fruit.

Do You Really Want to Grow?

Growing in your relationship with Jesus requires commitment and effort. As David prayed, "'Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me'" - Psalm 51:10. That word "right" means steadfast - a consistent, stick-to-it spirit.

Trials, tests, and difficulties will come. The devil's job is to get you to fail, to discourage you from sticking with it. But understanding this is his role helps us not be surprised when opposition comes.

Four Practical Ways to Abide in Christ

1. Take Time for God's Word

Don't wait for time to materialize - make time. Read and study the Bible as the most important discipline you can practice. "'Bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things'" - 1 Timothy 4:8.

Don't just do devotions - dig deep into God's Word. Make up your mind that you want to know the Word of God. Let the Word master you while you master the Word. Use the resources available today - study Bibles, commentaries, and electronic tools - for God's glory rather than endless social media scrolling.

2. Make Time for Prayer

Prayer is your lifeline. "'This is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him'" - 1 John 5:14-15.

Don't just pray while driving or doing other activities. Set aside focused time - close yourself in, shut off distractions, and pray to God believing that what you pray will happen.

3. Confess Your Sins to God

Be honest with God about your struggles and failures. He already knows everything anyway, so lay it all before him. "'If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness'" - 1 John 1:9.

When you're abiding in Christ, you won't live in continual sin. "'Whoever abides in Him does not sin'" - 1 John 3:6. This doesn't mean you'll never fall short, but you won't live in habitual sin patterns.

4. Take Time to Be with God's People

"'Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching'" - Hebrews 10:24-25.

Being part of the body of Christ means looking out for one another, encouraging each other, and challenging one another to grow. When someone hasn't been in church, it is your business to reach out and encourage them back.

The Joy of Abiding

Jesus said, "'These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full'" - John 15:11. The Christian life should be marked by joy, not gloom and despair. When we're truly abiding in Christ, walking in obedience and growing in our relationship with him, joy becomes our natural state.

The joy of the Lord is our strength. It's the form of grace that allows us to walk in power, victory, and strength. We are the chosen people of God, the new Israel, meant to be a powerful force that impacts the world for his kingdom.

Life Application

This week, commit to truly abiding in Christ through these four practical disciplines. Don't look for shortcuts or wait for convenient times - make time for God's Word, prayer, confession, and fellowship with other believers. Remember, you are chosen and appointed by God to bear much fruit that remains.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Am I consistently making time for God's Word, or am I just doing surface-level devotions?
• Is my prayer life focused and intentional, or just casual conversations while multitasking?
• Am I honestly confessing my sins to God and experiencing his cleansing power?
• Am I actively participating in the body of Christ, encouraging others and allowing them to encourage me?
• What areas of my life need pruning so I can bear more fruit for God's kingdom?

Growing God's way isn't about finding the easy path - it's about abiding in Christ with consistency, commitment, and joy. When we do this, we become the powerful, fruit-bearing disciples he has called us to be.