Category: Growth

Having noted the importance of progressing beyond the first principles of God’s oracles, our writer now gives a list of such fundamental truths.

Repentance from dead works (necessary for God’s forgiveness); faith toward God (without which it is impossible to please Him); the doctrine of baptisms (while there are numerous immersions in scripture, there is one commanded by God, cf. Ephesians 4:5. It is baptism in water for the remission of sins, cf. Acts 2:38); laying on of hands (the means by which the spiritual gifts were distributed through the apostles, cf. Acts 8:17); the resurrection of the dead (a reality made available by Jesus’ victory over death, cf. 1 Corinthians 15:21); and eternal judgment (the inevitable end of all things, cf. 2 Peter 3:11-13).

These rudiments must be learned and remembered. Then, we are to progress to meatier matters as we progress in our understanding of God’s will and Christian maturity. We are told “And this we will do if God permits” (3). God wants us to grow stronger and more capable as His children, and has supplied the means. Will we do our part?

Once you become a Christian, it is important to grow to maturity, progressing rather than regressing.

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Here the apostle Paul wrote an important admonition to Timothy.  “…be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (1). It seems that Paul wanted Timothy to always be mindful of the extended grace of God given through Jesus Christ.  This serves as a great source of strength for the child of God.  Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:3).

The wonderful thing about such strength and conviction is that it can be passed along to others. Paul wanted Timothy to do this in his work. “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2). It is like a never ending reaction. One thing continually leads to another. The gospel, if it is embraced and shared propagates quickly and well. We do well if we plant and water (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:6), knowing that God will give the increase. Paul knew it, and he wanted his ward to know it too.  It was true then, and it certainly remains true for us.

Justin discusses the call to add to our faith and love by becoming more Christ like day by day.

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Peter calls upon Christians to grow spiritually. “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love” (2 Peter 1:5-7). He supplies motivation, “For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1:8). He also warns of a lack of growth, “For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins” (1:9).

As it is with physical growth, certain things must be present in order to grow spiritually.

Continue reading “Spiritual Growth” →