Spiritual Growth

I have been a christian for about 30 years.  However, my relationship with Christ has changed over the years.  Christ has changed me over the years.  I was raised in a christian home.  We went to church on most Sundays.  I even went to a christian school.  I was in 9th or 10th grade when I invited God into my heart in a Bible class at school.

My quiet time this morning started with me reading Hebrews 5:7-14. This really hit home for me.  When I first became a christian, I was excited.  But in time, the excitement wore off.  Something was still missing and I couldn't figure out what it was.  It took a very long time for me to realize that what was missing was a relationship with Christ.  Verse 12 says "You have been believers for so long now that you ought to be teaching others.  Instead, you need others to teach you again the basic things about God's word."  If we stop seeking a relationship with God, your knowledge of His ways start to fade and the old ways of life start to slowly filter back into your life.

I was taught that you never stop learning.  In fact, you should strive to learn something new every day.  That is true with my relationship with Christ.  I need to learn something new every day.  Although it is true that I do learn things from the church services that I attend, that cannot be where it stops.  I must continually pursue a relationship with Christ through the reading of His word as well as other books.  I also need to remember His teachings and be constant in prayer.

Christ has called us to love one another just as He loves us.  But how can we grow spiritually if we don't spend time with Him in order to learn more about His love for us?  Romans 12:9-13 says "9 Love is to be sincere and active [the real thing—without guile and hypocrisy]. Hate what is evil [detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness]; hold on tightly to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection [as members of one family], give preference to one another in honor; 11 never lagging behind in diligence; aglow in the Spirit, enthusiastically serving the Lord; 12 constantly rejoicing in hope [because of our confidence in Christ], steadfast and patient in distress, devoted to prayer [continually seeking wisdom, guidance, and strength], 13 contributing to the needs of God’s people, pursuing [the practice of] hospitality."  In order to grow spiritually, I must work on these things.

Is there something that you are working on in order to grow spiritually?  If so, let me know what it is in the comments.  Who knows, it may be something that I need to work on as well. Also, if you feel like there is something that you need to work on but can't figure out what it is, ask God to show you what it is.  He will direct your path.