As a former elementary educator, I always loved being able to teach my students about plant growth. The children would be so excited to see how with just a few things like a seed, soil, water, and sunlight, a beautiful plant would grow. It felt almost like magic to them. In a way, our spiritual growth is very similar to that of plant growth.
We need just a few ingredients through the help of the Holy Spirit: time, obedience, trust, prayer, and perseverance.
Now, I know that can almost sound oversimplified. However, I often find that we overcomplicate our walk with Christ. We make it into a checklist of rules and regulations that we follow and hope that God will love us more or bless us. Or, we get so bogged down with doing the things of God that we forget God Himself.
I want to take the pressure off of us today.
Yes, there are things we can do to aid our growth in our relationship with Jesus, but it is not a relationship of striving. Instead, a large portion of our growth is found in resting and abiding in Jesus.
Think about what Peter has just encouraged his listeners towards: holiness. The aim of our lives is to be holy. How are we to do this? We are to take an honest assessment of our lives and rid them of the sin that so easily entangles, as the author of Hebrews says. We are to then yearn after Christ. We spend time getting to know our Savior. We regularly engage in confession of sin, accountability and encouragement with other believers, time in prayer, and time in the Word.
Our relationship with Jesus is a matter of the heart.
Our hearts are the most important thing to God. Though the things listed above can easily turn into rote, religious activity, they are meant to stir our affections, or our hearts, towards Jesus. When our hearts are transformed, then our lives are transformed. We can then grow up to salvation, as Peter calls us.
Just like it takes time for plants to grow, it takes time for us to grow in salvation. Salvation is more than just our confession of faith in Jesus. It is that plus the entire, lifelong process of sanctification, or becoming more like Christ.
Look at the end of verse 3, “if you have experienced the Lord’s kindness.” Paul writes in Romans 2:4 that it is the Lord’s kindness that leads us to repentance. The Lord’s kindness is the message of the gospel. If I have experienced the forgiveness and grace of Jesus, then I have His Spirit dwelling within me. I am enabled to seek after His will and His way. No longer do I have to try to live for Christ out of my own strength but out of my new heart given by Christ.
What in your life are you yearning for? Are you living in a way that allows your heart to be transformed by the world or by Christ? Take some time this week to remind yourself of the truth of the gospel and allow it to begin informing the way you think, act, and feel towards your Father in Heaven who loves you so much.
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Week 2 Challenge:
This week, be especially mindful of the messages you consume, whether from media, books, or even casual conversations. At the end of each day, take a moment to reflect and journal about any message or teaching that seemed contrary to the Word of God. Research these in light of Scripture, and pray for discernment to distinguish truth from deception.
Week 2 Reading Plan:
Find it in your journal or on the LGG App!
Week 2 Memory Verse:
