Growth In Christ

A group of tourists visiting a picturesque village walked by an old man sitting beside a fence. In a rather patronizing way, one tourist asked, “Were any great men born in this village?” The old man replied “Nope, only babies.”

A simplistic question brought a profound answer. There are no instant heroes - whether in this world or in the kingdom of God. No great Christians have ever been born. Maturity takes time, effort, and the power of God in our lives. The question we must address is “How do followers of Christ grow in righteousness?”

In Godliness through Discipline, Jay Adams states: “There are only two kinds of life: the feeling motivated life of sin oriented toward self, and the commandment motivated life of holiness oriented toward godliness.”

There are several basic things that you need to understand in order to grow toward godliness.

I. You Must Understand Your new Position in Christ.

1. According to Eph. 2:1-3, what are five descriptions of your life before you became a Christian?
a. You were dead in trespasses and sins – v. 1
b. You were following the course of this world – v. 2a
c. You were following the prince of the power of the air – v.2b
d. You were following the passions of the flesh – v. 3a
e. You were a child of wrath – v. 3b

2. According to Eph. 2:4-6, what are three descriptions of your life now as a Believer?
a. We have been made alive by Christ – v. 5b
b. We have been raised with Christ – v. 6a
c. We have been made to sit with Christ in heavenly places – v. 6b


3. How should we view ourselves as Christians?
II Cor. 2 Cor 5:17 He is a new creation Rom 6:11 We are dead to sin and alive to Christ
Romans chapter six teaches that we are no longer under the power of sin; nevertheless sinless perfection cannot be obtained in this life. The reason for this is that we still live in the “flesh” or “body” that has a sin nature (Rom. 6:12 – 7:25). While our inward nature has been changed (see 2 Cor. 5:17 and Rom. 6:11) and is dead to sin, our body is still alive to sin until it is changed at the resurrection (see 1 Cor. 15:42-44). Since the Believer still battles with sin, it is important that we understand the nature of temptation.

II. You Must Understand the Nature of Temptation.

1. Read the following passages and note the three sources of temptation.
a. James 1:13&14 Our own desires
b. 1 John 2:15&16 The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life
c. 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Cor. 11:13 &14 Satan

2. Read Matt. 4:1-11. How did Jesus overcome temptation?
Unlike Adam and Even in the Garden of Eden, Jesus quoted scripture to Satan. Eve had a working knowledge of what God said, but actually added to what God said. Jesus simply quoted Bible verses, word for word.

Do we have the same resources for overcoming temptation? Absolutely!

3. Note four ways in which God’s Word is useful for overcoming sinful habits in 2 Tim. 3:16 & 17.
a. It is good for teaching (what is right)
b. It is good for reproof (what is wrong)
c. It is good for correction (how to get right)
d. It is good for training in righteousness (how to stay right)

4. What is God’s promise in 1 Cor. 10:13?
God will not allow you to experience a temptation that is greater than your ability to resist it with God’s help. By virtue of the fact that you are facing the temptation, you also know you can resist it.

III. You Must Understand God’s Purposes for the Believer in this Life.
While there are many purposes for the Believer – there are three primary ones, and even these overlap.

1. What is God’s purpose for the Believer in Rom. 8:28 & 29? To become conformed to the image of Christ

2. What is God’s purpose for the Believer in 2 Cor. 5:9? To live a life pleasing to God

3. What is God’s purpose for the Believer in 1 Cor. 10:31? To bring glory to God in all we do

It is important that we understand what God’s purposes are for us, otherwise our priorities in life will be wrong and we will misinterpret what God is attempting to accomplish in our lives. When we understand these things, what will our goal be according to Matt. 6:33?

To seek God and His kingdom first.