Ever Increasing Growth of the Heaven Bound Saint

EVER INCREASING GROWTH OF THE HEAVEN BOUND SAINT

Memory verse:

But grow in Grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be Glory both now and forever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18.

Texts:

Phil 3:8-14, Ezekiel 47:1-5.

INTRODUCTION

The need for a consistent and constant growth in our relationship with Christ, as children of God, cannot be overemphasized. From our memory verse, 2 Peter 3:18, it is imperative that every Christian should seek a deep personal growth in the knowledge (both experiential and literal) of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. This growth is a work of grace, but demands that the individual child of God should make himself available, and be willing to learn from the Master. See Luke 10:39.

As God’s children, our walk with Him is based on certain principles that guide us through the Christian journey, and ensure we get to our pre-determined destiny, which is Heaven. In the course of this study, we shall look at some of those principles, and draw some inference from some bible characters.

Let’s consider the following areas necessary for a Christian growth.

• SALVATION: This remains the basic foundation, as a castle cannot be built on air. Some jump into other Christian ordinances, activities, etc, without ensuring that they have a sound testimony of Christian salvation. This deceit/lie is from the pit of hell, and some people have been swallowed by it. If any man is not in Christ, not Born Again, he is not a new creature, 2 Corinthians 5:17, and therefore, cannot say he is growing in the Christian faith or a heaven bound saint. John 14:3.
• HOLINESS: Holiness is an all-encompassing word for God’s purity, which is imputed on us at salvation. But this precious attribute of God, which is a work of grace, must be maintained by the heaven bound saint, as he/she yields their live to the Holy Spirit on a continuous basis, see 1 Peter 1:15-16. Placing our faith exclusively in the cross of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, gives the Holy Spirit the latitude to help us, and indeed, He alone can develop holiness within our lives. It cannot be done by self will, rules or regulations. Titus 2:11-13.
• PRAYER AND STUDY OF THE WORD OF GOD: “But you, beloved, building up yourselves on your most Holy Faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.” Jude v 20. Here, what we want to emphasize is not just speaking in tongues as a prayer language, but that a LIFE STYLE of prayer helps us to build our growth in the Lord. It’s to help us build towards the finish of the structure (Christian Race) for which the foundation (salvation) has already been laid. A growing prayer life must be exercised in the sphere of the Holy Spirit, motivated and empowered by Him. This kind of prayer life goes with a deep study of the word of God. It’s difficult to live a life of prayer and study of God’s word, and miss heaven, because it brings us to a point of God’s approval. See 2 Timothy 2;15.
• EVANGELISM AND SOUL WINNING: The conversion of souls to righteousness has remained the heartbeat of God, and the means is through evangelism or other forms of outreach. The bible commands this unto us believers, commends those who win souls and promises great rewards to us, if we so do. Matthew 28:19-20; Daniel 12:3. Evangelism and soul winning is to a Christian what procreation is to a proper marriage.
• PILGRIMS AND STRANGERS ON EARTH: “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul”. 1 Peter 2:11. Have you watched “The Pilgrim’s Progress”? No one is really a pilgrim in the biblical sense, who has not first become a stranger to this world. Hebrew 11:8-16. The concept of strangers and pilgrims is that as God’s children, we must understand that we are just passing through this world unto our heavenly destination,”…. whose Builder and Maker is God,” Hebrew 11:10^b.
• LAYING UP OUR TREASURES IN HEAVEN: Jesus advised us to lay up our wealth in heaven where God Himself is the keeper and protector, Matthew 6:19-21. Some Christians have been engulfed in the pursuit of earthly gain that their spiritual life is greatly endangered. Let’s avoid the mistake of Demas, as recorded in 2 Timothy 4:10. Our wealth must be channeled to further the Gospel and good works. 1 Timothy 6:18-19.

CONCLUSION

When as God’s children, we individually constantly examine ourselves on the basis of God’s word in the areas of holiness, restitution, living at peace with all men, Christian persecution, laying aside every weight and sin, God’s calling upon our lives, love, etc, we give room for continuous spiritual growth and the priviledge to make heaven. 2 Peter 1;10-11; 2 Corinthians 13:5.

QUESTIONS

1. How did the hope of eternal life help Abraham, Joseph and Paul in their growth with their walk with God?
2. What are some of the things that can weigh us down in achieving an ever increasing growth in our walk with God?