Life is never static. We must grow or else begin to shrivel and die.
JESUS GREW SPIRITUAL AND INTELLECTUALLY – Luke 2:52:
Jesus grew; He matured. He grew in favor with God and He grew in favor with man. He is our pattern for growth.
STAND FIRM TO GROW – Ephesians 6:10-20:
Each Christian is a soldier (2 Tim. 2:3-4).
The Nature of our Warfare – Eph. 6:10-12. We are in a spiritual battle.
The Description of the Panoply – Eph. 6:13-17. Each piece of our armor is related in some way to the Bible, to truth. We need to be truthful, honest, and sincere (the belt). We need to obey Jesus Christ to be righteous (the breastplate). We need to know the Gospel and share it (the shoes). We need faith / confidence in God (the shield). We need to be saved and know we are (the helmet). We need the Bible in our hearts and in our hands (the sword).
The Necessity of Prayer – Eph. 6:18-20.
Praying “in the Spirit” is a spiritual conversation, influenced by the Spirit and His teachings, His goals, His desires, His purposes. And we live in harmony with the Spirit’s teachings.
WALK TO GROW – Colossians 2:6:
Christ calls on us to keep walking consistent with His teachings we have received.
GROW IN GRACE & KNOWLEDGE – 2 Peter 3:17-18:
We “stand,” we “walk,” now we “grow.”
There is no place to stop in this process.
Christ challenges us to grow in His grace and knowledge of His Truth. Let’s stand; let’s walk; let’s grow.
Paul Holland
