August 18th, 2025
by Pastor Luke
by Pastor Luke
The Journey of Spiritual Growth: Embracing God's Progressive Work
In our walk with God, we often find ourselves caught in a tension - the tension between who we are today and who we are meant to become. This spiritual journey isn't always instantaneous; rather, it's a progressive work that God undertakes in our lives. We may wish for immediate transformation, but true spiritual maturity tends to unfold over time.
Consider this profound truth: "I am not yet who I will become, but I am also not who I was before." This statement encapsulates the essence of our spiritual growth. It's a reminder that while we may not have reached our final destination, we have indeed made progress from where we started. This perspective can be both comforting and challenging, urging us to continue pressing forward while acknowledging the growth we've already experienced.
The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, provides insight into this journey of spiritual growth. He commends the believers for being "full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another." Yet, he continues to provide guidance and encouragement, recognizing that their growth is an ongoing process.
One key to understanding this progressive work is aligning ourselves with God's present work in our lives. Sometimes, in our eagerness to grow, we may try to rush ahead of God's timing. However, when we do this, we risk quenching the Spirit's work. Instead, we must learn to yield to the Spirit's speed, allowing God to work in us at His pace.
This concept of yielding to God's work ties into a powerful truth: God will never command something His grace can't empower you to obey. Whether it's a call to purity, sobriety, humility, or stepping into ministry, God's grace is sufficient to empower our obedience. We must remember that we cannot do God's work without God. It is His power, strength, Spirit, and Word that must lead and accompany us in all He's called us to do.
Paul's ministry to the Gentiles serves as a powerful example of relying on God's strength rather than human ability. He emphasizes three key elements that made his ministry effective: the disciples' word and deed, the power of signs and wonders, and the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul didn't depend on his background, skills, or titles. Instead, he was utterly reliant on the present work of the Holy Spirit.
This reliance on the Holy Spirit is crucial for our spiritual growth and effectiveness in ministry. When we cooperate with God's Spirit, we truly co-operate with Him. Our faith becomes the conduit through which God's power flows. Even a small amount of faith - as small as a mustard seed - can be used by God to accomplish great things.
The importance of community in our spiritual journey cannot be overstated. Paul expresses his desire to be "refreshed" in the company of believers. There's a natural refreshment that occurs when God's people come together. Our faith encourages one another, our smiles become contagious, and our prayers lift each other up. This is why regular gathering with other believers is so vital to our spiritual health and growth.
As we reflect on our spiritual journey, let's remember that growth often happens in the tension between who we are and who we're becoming. We must learn to yield to the Spirit's work, trusting in God's grace to empower our obedience. Let's rely not on our own strength, but on the power of the Holy Spirit, and let's commit to gathering with other believers for mutual encouragement and refreshment.
In the end, our spiritual growth is not about reaching perfection overnight. It's about progressively becoming more like Christ, day by day, step by step. It's about trusting God's timing and His methods, even when they differ from our own expectations. It's about recognizing that while we're not yet who we will become, we're also not who we once were.
So, let's embrace this journey of growth. Let's yield to the Spirit's work in our lives. Let's trust in God's grace to empower us. And let's commit to walking this path together, encouraging one another along the way. For in doing so, we'll find ourselves progressively transformed into the image of Christ, experiencing the fullness of life that God intends for us.
Remember, spiritual growth is not a destination, but a journey. It's not about perfection, but progress. It's not about our strength, but God's power working through us. As we continue on this path, may we always keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, trusting that He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion.
stay salty. be bright.
Pastor Luke
Consider this profound truth: "I am not yet who I will become, but I am also not who I was before." This statement encapsulates the essence of our spiritual growth. It's a reminder that while we may not have reached our final destination, we have indeed made progress from where we started. This perspective can be both comforting and challenging, urging us to continue pressing forward while acknowledging the growth we've already experienced.
The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, provides insight into this journey of spiritual growth. He commends the believers for being "full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another." Yet, he continues to provide guidance and encouragement, recognizing that their growth is an ongoing process.
One key to understanding this progressive work is aligning ourselves with God's present work in our lives. Sometimes, in our eagerness to grow, we may try to rush ahead of God's timing. However, when we do this, we risk quenching the Spirit's work. Instead, we must learn to yield to the Spirit's speed, allowing God to work in us at His pace.
This concept of yielding to God's work ties into a powerful truth: God will never command something His grace can't empower you to obey. Whether it's a call to purity, sobriety, humility, or stepping into ministry, God's grace is sufficient to empower our obedience. We must remember that we cannot do God's work without God. It is His power, strength, Spirit, and Word that must lead and accompany us in all He's called us to do.
Paul's ministry to the Gentiles serves as a powerful example of relying on God's strength rather than human ability. He emphasizes three key elements that made his ministry effective: the disciples' word and deed, the power of signs and wonders, and the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul didn't depend on his background, skills, or titles. Instead, he was utterly reliant on the present work of the Holy Spirit.
This reliance on the Holy Spirit is crucial for our spiritual growth and effectiveness in ministry. When we cooperate with God's Spirit, we truly co-operate with Him. Our faith becomes the conduit through which God's power flows. Even a small amount of faith - as small as a mustard seed - can be used by God to accomplish great things.
The importance of community in our spiritual journey cannot be overstated. Paul expresses his desire to be "refreshed" in the company of believers. There's a natural refreshment that occurs when God's people come together. Our faith encourages one another, our smiles become contagious, and our prayers lift each other up. This is why regular gathering with other believers is so vital to our spiritual health and growth.
As we reflect on our spiritual journey, let's remember that growth often happens in the tension between who we are and who we're becoming. We must learn to yield to the Spirit's work, trusting in God's grace to empower our obedience. Let's rely not on our own strength, but on the power of the Holy Spirit, and let's commit to gathering with other believers for mutual encouragement and refreshment.
In the end, our spiritual growth is not about reaching perfection overnight. It's about progressively becoming more like Christ, day by day, step by step. It's about trusting God's timing and His methods, even when they differ from our own expectations. It's about recognizing that while we're not yet who we will become, we're also not who we once were.
So, let's embrace this journey of growth. Let's yield to the Spirit's work in our lives. Let's trust in God's grace to empower us. And let's commit to walking this path together, encouraging one another along the way. For in doing so, we'll find ourselves progressively transformed into the image of Christ, experiencing the fullness of life that God intends for us.
Remember, spiritual growth is not a destination, but a journey. It's not about perfection, but progress. It's not about our strength, but God's power working through us. As we continue on this path, may we always keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, trusting that He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion.
stay salty. be bright.
Pastor Luke
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