Ever Growing

Karen and I are thankful to the Lord for the growth he is giving both our daughters. Both girls seems to be growing at exponential rates. The other day we noted how Emma has nearly outgrown her high chair. When we first put her in it she could barely see over the tray. Now her head from the neck up rises above the back of the chair and the foot rest has been lowered to the lowest setting. Abby has literally doubled her birthweight in two months and seems to have grown a few inches as well. We know this growth is a gift and a blessing. Tonight I am reminded that if they were to stop growing it would be a significant cause for concern.

In similar fashion, our spiritual growth should be viewed in the same way. Calvin makes the following statement on the progressive growth that should be characteristic of the believer:

An eminent man boasted that he grew old, learning. We are therefore thrice miserable Christians if we grow old without advancement, for our faith ought to progress through all stages of our life until it grows to full [maturity]"--Calvin, Institutes, 4.14.8

Such a thought is in line with what Paul says to the Ephesian church:

“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,* 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,* to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:11-16 ESV)

Here are some questions through which I am working and commend to you for consideration:
-Are we desirous of good spiritual food? Do we strive for growth in godliness?
-Do we view the loss of appetite for God's Word and righteousness as serious a sickness as if we were not interested in eating physical food?
-Is He, as the Psalmist says, our portion forever?
-Do we live by bread alone to the neglect of the very Word of God?
-Do we understand that our spiritual health or lack thereof is interconnected with that of those around us, because God has ordained that we "build them up in love" (see verse 16 above)?

I pray that we will become ever hungrier for knowledge, communion, and conformity to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May He be formed in us and may we glorify Him now and forever.

Grace & Peace,

Jonathan