After we accept Christ as our Savior and become a member of God’s forever-family, why does he leave us here on earth? We have already been assigned a heavenly home, why not just go there now? There are several answers to that question: one is that God has a plan for our lives, including good works that he has assigned for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). But a second reason for God keeping us here is that we need to grow from being spiritual infants to maturity.
I think I can speak for most parents in saying that we love our children as babies, as toddlers, as children, and as teenagers, and that we grudgingly allow them to leave home and assume their role as adults. They will get a job, become good members of society, and good citizens of our country— and they may fulfill their real purpose in life: giving us grandchildren!
In a similar sense, God loves his children in each of their different stages of growth, but his ultimate goal for us all is that we grow up. His purpose for each of us is that we will display his image in our lives—but that takes a while.
If the Christian life is about growing, how does a Christian grow? Scripture gives many answers to that question. I will suggest a few here.
1 We grow by submitting our will to God.
*Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these other things shall be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33) *Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2) 2 We grow by walking in the Spirit.
*Live by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature….Since we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:16,25) *Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. (Romans 8:14) *Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit… (Ephesians 5:18) 3 We grow by feeding on his word. *All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) *Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the scriptures everyday to see if what Paul said was true. (Acts 17:11) 4 We grow through prayer.
*Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6—we were pleasantly surprised to see this verse written on a university classroom wall in China!)
*Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16) 5 We grow through fellowship with other believers.
*Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their numbers daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:46-47) *And let us consider how to stir one another up to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25) 6 We grow through confession and repentance of sin.
*If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) *Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. (Revelation 3:19) 7 We grow through trials and tribulations.
*Through many tribulations we must enter the Kingdom of God. (Acts 14:22) *Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4) 8 We grow by following the example of mature Christians.
*I urge you therefore, be imitators of me. (Paul speaking. 1 Corinthians 4:16) *Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. (Hebrews 13:7) God has a purpose in keeping us here. Part of that purpose is that we complete the good works which God has prepared for us to do. But for all of his children, a primary purpose is that we grow up to maturity, becoming good citizens of the Kingdom of God, and good servants of each other in our churches.
Greg Giles is a published author, who, along with his wife Jean, has embraced the call to serve and teach around the globe. Their life together has included missionary work in Liberia, Bangladesh, teaching in China, and raising a family in Bemidji, Minnesota. Between global travels and local commitments, including serving as superintendent of Corn Bible Academy and their current part-time roles at Corn Heritage Village, the Gileses have found “home” in many places; yet, they now happily reside in retirement in Cordell. Please visit his website at reflections-on-wisdom.com.