GOD PLANS TO GROW US SPIRITUALLY
The Bibles reveals that after saving us through believing in God’s Son Jesus Christ who died on the cross to atone for our sins (John 3:16); God plans to grow us spiritually into the likeness of his Son (Romans 8:29).
The Bible give us examples of how God worked his plans in the lives of Bible characters–like a woman name Mary and a disciple name Peter. And our Creator, who knows each of us individually, has a plan to grow “whoever” comes to him into the likeness of his Son (John 6:37; Romans 8:29).
GOD PLANNED MARY’S SPIRITUAL GROWTH
A sinful woman named Mary was forgiven for her sins and was inspired to grow spiritually by sitting at Jesus’ feet.
When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them… Wherefore [Jesus said] Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much.” (Luke 7:36-47).
“This Mary… who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair” (John 11:1-2); later, grew spiritually as she “ sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said” (Luke 10:38-39).
GOD PLANNED PETER’S SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Peter made his livelihood as a fisherman. But Jesus convinced him to become a follower of the Lord. Peter was rash in his thinking and behavior. The Lord was patient in making positive changes in him. As an apostle of the Lord, Peter hastily told the Lord, “even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you” (Matthew 26:33). But when Jesus was tried before the Sanhedrin Jewish court, in fear for his own life, Peter denied he knew the Lord three times. (Luke 22:54-62). When Jesus saw him after Jesus’ resurrection, he taught Peter about God love and forgiveness. The Lord gave Peter an opportunity to repent and to affirm his love for the Lord three times. And he told Peter “feed my sheep.” (John 21:15-17).
After Peter repented, and was praying on the day of Pentecost he was filled with the Holy Spirit, which Jesus promised (Acts 1:8). God began to use him mightily as a fisher of people (Acts 2).
GOD PLANNED MY SPIRITUAL GROWTH
God used my godly grandmother to teach and largely influence me to accept the Lord when I was ten years old. As I have prayed, studied the Bible and grown in life, my spiritual journey has not been smooth. But God has shown me even when I fall, if I confess my sin he will forgive me and cause me to rise again (1 John 1:8-9). However, he let me know it is not his will that I should continue sinning that he might show me more and more of his loving grace (Romans 6:1). Yet through the power of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16; Acts 1:8) God has used trial and adversities—even my failures–to help me grow to be more like the Lord (1 Peter 4:12-13; Romans 8:28-29).
I may not attained my goal of being fully like Christ in this life; yet, with the help of the Holy Spirit, I aspire to be like Jesus in doing what always pleases our heavenly Father (Luke 22:42; John 8:29).
HOW DO YOU SEE GOD’S PLAN FOR YOUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH?
If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior: What do you see that God has done, and is doing in your life to grow you more into the image of his only begotten Son? If you are still wondering about God’s personal plan for your continued spiritual growth, you might pray and ask God to show you through his Word and help you by his Spirit to do his will (1 John 5:14-15).
If you have not yet accepted Jesus: You should know that the Lord created you to have a unique and loving relationship with him; and to conform you into his likeness of Jesus (Colossians 1:16; Romans 8:29). You may begin this special relationship with him and grow in the likeness of our Lord by believing and accepting that he died for your sins (Romans 3:23; 6:23), so that you might have an eternal life of happiness with him in heaven (John 3:16; John 14:2-3).
The Lord God final plans for all who comes to him: Though we are “sown a natural body;” we will be “raised a spiritual body” (1 Corinthians 15:44). And we “shall be caught up…to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4::15-16).
.
