1 John 4: 15 – 17 states:
16 We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.
The above passage indicates that those of faith believe in the love that God has for us. In His love, we can approach Him with confidence in the last days. We have nothing to fear. This fear includes, “Am I right with God?” Am I spiritual enough? Does God love me? Is God disappointed in me? These fears prohibit us from seeing that we are secure in our salvation. It stops us from seeing His love demonstrated through the sacrifice of His Son. Therefore, we do not need to be fearful of punishment and judgment. Instead in His love, God spared us from receiving a penalty. Jesus took our punishment on the cross.
Romans 8:38 – 39 states:
38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The above passage reveals that nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ. The term to separate in this context means at no point will these things separate or divide us from the love of God. Therefore, if there is no fear in God’s love and nothing can separate us from His love, then we can grow spiritually by laying the foundation in Christ and knowing that God grows us.
1 Corinthians 3: 6 – 11 states:
6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. 7 So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. 11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
The above passage reveals that God uses people to help us grow. But ultimately, our growth is from Him alone as we are His field and building. Also, the passage tells us that as we (the body of Christ) build God’s community (the church), we must build in a manner that Christ is the foundation. Thus, as we pursue our spiritual growth, God grows us in a way where Christ is the foundation.
As we reflect on the manner that God grows us, we take note that we work alongside the growth process. God calls us to run the race not one beating the air aimlessly. This act means God provides direction as we grow. As we focus on the race, we know that our reward (salvation) does not perish.
1 Corinthians 9: 23 – 27 states:
23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. 24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
Spiritual goals allow us to run the race for an imperishable crown found in Christ. As we run, we fix our eyes on Christ.
Hebrews 12: 1 – 2 states:
12 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
In all that we do, our labor allows us to participate in the gospel. We partake in the good news of Christ. Our participation also includes sharing in His sufferings and victories.
Unfortunately, as we run this race of endurance, we at times become weary. But God is faithful to us during those times and strengthens us.
Matthew 11: 28 states:
28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
Isaiah 40: 31 states:
Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.
The above scriptures promise that God will give us rest and will renew our strength. Spiritual growth requires endurance. It requires our spiritual foundation being in Christ. It requires God transforming us. It requires endurance as we strive to participate in the gospel of Christ. It also requires that we do not lean on our own understanding.
Proverbs 3: 5 – 8 states:
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your body
And refreshment to your bones.
The above passage promises that when we trust in God with all of our hearts, when we acknowledge Him, He will make our paths straight. His promise produces a healthy direction. Also, as we turn from evil, we have healing in our body. These are God’s promises for not leaning on our understanding and turning from evil. God surpasses these promises by telling us that He can do immeasurably more in our lives.
Ephesians 3: 20 states:
20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,
God wants to bless our lives. He wants to go beyond our hopes and dreams. What God has in store for us is better than our fears or limited dreams. He wants the best for us. Even when we are faithless, God is not.
2 Timothy 2: 13 states:
13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
God remains sovereign. He remains faithful to us. He also will never leave nor forsake us. Remember nothing can separate us from His love that which is in Christ.
Hebrews 13: 5 – 6 states:
5 Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” 6 so that we confidently say,
“The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.
What will man do to me?”
God will never leave us. He will not stop loving us nor stop wanting the best for us. He will; however, discipline us to produce righteousness in our character.
Hebrews 12:6, 11 states:
6 For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines,
And He scourges every son whom He receives.”
11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
I have numerously heard the statement that God loves us so much that He will not allow us to remain just as we are. His goal is to produce righteous character in us. This character reflects Christ; the laid foundation we build our growth. Therefore, as we remain in Christ, the more His righteousness transforms us.
2 Corinthians 5: 20 – 21 states:
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
The gift of our salvation allows us to be reconciled to God and become the righteousness of God represented in Christ.
