Posted by PST. NWANERI CHARLES EBERECHUKWU

GROWING IN OUR CHRISTIAN FAITH





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(Pst Charles Eberechukwu Nwaneri)

Growing in Our Christian Faith

Growth in the Christian faith is not automatic; it is a process that comes through intentional pursuit of God, obedience to His Word, and yielding to the Spirit. Just as a child grows into maturity, every believer is expected to grow from spiritual infancy to maturity in Christ.

1. Growth Is God’s Will for Every Believer

2. Growth Comes Through the Word of God

3. Growth Requires Fellowship with God

4. Growth Is Strengthened Through Trials

  • “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” (James 1:2–3)
  • Trials refine and establish us: “But the God of all grace… after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” (1 Peter 5:10)
  • Endurance builds maturity (Romans 5:3–4).

5. Growth Requires Fellowship with Other Believers

  • “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together… but exhorting one another.” (Hebrews 10:25)
  • Iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17).
  • The early church grew strong in fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers (Acts 2:42).

6. Growth Produces Spiritual Fruit

7. Growth Is Empowered by the Holy Spirit

  • The Spirit is our teacher and guide: “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:13)
  • He strengthens us in our inner man (Ephesians 3:16).
  • Walking in the Spirit leads to victory over the flesh (Galatians 5:16).

 Christian growth is multi-dimensional, not just in knowledge but also in character, conduct, service, and relationship with God and others. Below are major areas of Christian growth with scriptural references for each:

Areas of Christian Growth

1. Growth in Faith

Faith is foundational in our walk with God, but it must keep increasing.
  • “But without faith it is impossible to please him…” (Hebrews 11:6)
  • “…from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:17)
  • “Lord, increase our faith.” (Luke 17:5)
  • “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.” (Jude 20)

2. Growth in Love

Love is the greatest virtue of the Christian life.
  • “And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men.” (1 Thessalonians 3:12)
  • “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)
  • “Above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” (Colossians 3:14)
  • “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8)

3. Growth in Knowledge and Understanding of God

We are called to know God more deeply through His Word and Spirit.
  • “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18)
  • “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection…” (Philippians 3:10)
  • “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.” (Colossians 3:16)
  • “Study to shew thyself approved unto God…” (2 Timothy 2:15)

4. Growth in Grace

Grace enables us to live, serve, and endure in Christ.
  • “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:7)
  • “…be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 2:1)
  • “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” (James 4:6)

5. Growth in Holiness and Purity

God’s children are called to be holy as He is holy.
  • “Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16)
  • “Having therefore these promises… let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1)
  • “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14)

6. Growth in Patience and Endurance

Patience proves maturity and steadfastness in trials.
  • “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James 1:4)
  • “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience.” (Romans 5:3)
  • “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” (Hebrews 10:36)

7. Growth in Prayer and Fellowship with God

Prayer deepens our intimacy and dependence on God.
  • “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.” (Colossians 4:2)
  • “And he spake a parable unto them… that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” (Luke 18:1)

8. Growth in Service and Good Works

Maturity in Christ is expressed in fruitful service.
  • “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.” (Ephesians 2:10)
  • “…be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)
  • “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” (James 2:17)

9. Growth in Spiritual Fruitfulness

Spiritual growth is proven by visible fruit.
  • “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” (John 15:8)
  • “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” (Galatians 5:22–23)
  • “That ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.” (John 15:16)
10. Growth in Unity and Fellowship with Believers
Maturity leads to edifying others and strengthening the body of Christ.
  • “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3)
  • “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together…” (Hebrews 10:25)
  • “…till we all come in the unity of the faith… unto a perfect man.” (Ephesians 4:13)

11. Growth in Witnessing and Evangelism

Sharing the gospel is part of maturity and obedience.
  • “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…” (Matthew 28:19)
  • “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.” (Matthew 5:14)
  • “And ye shall be witnesses unto me… unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

Conclusion

Christian growth touches every area of life—faith, love, knowledge, grace, holiness, patience, prayer, service, fruitfulness, unity, and evangelism. It is a journey of becoming more like Christ daily, as we submit to His Word and Spirit.
“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15)

Growing in our Christian faith is a journey of daily surrender, study of the Word, prayer, fellowship, endurance, and yielding to the Spirit. The more we abide in Christ and obey His Word, the more we are conformed to His image.

“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13)

Pst Charles Eberechukwu Nwaneri 

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