Spiritual Birth Initiates Spiritual Life

You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. II Peter 3:17-18
One of the most wonderful things in the entire world is birth.  It is a mystery that no one really understands.  But while birth is a wonder, if there were to be no growth after birth we would worry.  For people to be born and never to grow into maturity is a terrible waste.  Yet something like that happens in spiritual life all the time.  People are born again.  They become a part of the family of God through faith in Jesus Christ.  But they fail to go on from that initial experience of birth to maturity in the Christian life.  What a tragic waste. 

Spiritual Growth is important to the walk, welfare and witness of every believer.  Growth is not just deeper understanding and keener insights but the development of an intimate relationship with God.  Your strength will be in direct proportion to your faith and your faith will be in direct proportion to your knowledge of God.  But knowledge alone is not sufficient.  The application of spiritual truth brings the full Christian experience and power.

Spiritual Birth Initiates Spiritual Life
A good foundation is mandatory for construction of a powerful Christian life.  But foundation is not the end result, it is the beginning.  A House with only foundation is incapable of performing its total purpose of comfort and protection.  A Christian who does not grow is not capable of performing their intended purpose as well.  Spiritual Growth is a sign of spiritual LIFE.

Spiritual Growth is Fed by FAITH
Sometimes we are faced with something bigger than we can handle.  God leads us to places where faith is required.  The way to growth is many times identified by Bible Study and Prayer.  These are the methods not the means.

How you study and pray is as important as if you do.
The same way we begin is the way that we continue.  In conversion God takes the initiative by calling and asking us to receive.  In growth it is the same.  He calls us through life circumstance to “increase our faith.”  We must open the door of faith daily and allow God to uphold us.

I CHOOSE TO BELIEVE WHEN I COULD DOUBT AND FEAR!
Faith should be based on FACT.

• The fact of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.
• The fact of your personal encounter with the Lord.
• The fact of the presence of believers in the church.

Watch out for feelings!  Your salvation and assurance of eternal life is not based on whether or not you “feel” saved.  Sometimes I don’t feel like I am in the same universe as God, but He is there.  You are saved forever more, no matter what you do, once you have accepted Christ as your savior and asked Him to be the Lord of your life.  The fire will fade and will need to be re-ignited and fueled often.  Do not mistake the ebb and flow of emotions in your life for your assurance of salvation! 

Scripture to Claim:
According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  
I Corinthians 3:10-11