Possible Stages of Spiritual Growth; Part 1
Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2010 12:10 pmHello All,
Blessings!
Our spiritual experiences do vary from person to person, so what follows in several parts reflects some of those possibilities.
Today we begin our analysis of the stages of spiritual growth. Research has shown us that there could be 3,4,5,6,7,8, all the way up to 42 stages of spiritual growth. However, in our research, we did not encounter one perspective that approached the stages of spiritual growth as such being God's work in us. Shock! Since the entirity of God's work in us is to bring us to spiritual maturity and the saving of our soul, to a completeness of spiritual maturity, we find it odd indeed that such an important subject would be examined as one's own religious growth.
As stated before, we know Christianity is about spiritual life as sons and daughters in the Kingdom of Heaven, our Father's household, and our spiritual development is by Him and for Him to His glory and majesty.
First of all, in respect to the religious, one's spiritual growth may have begun before we were born. Or it might have begun shorty after we were born. Perhaps such began at a confirmation of some sort, we do not know, as we are spiritual, not religious. Our spiritual life may have begun when baptized in water with full consciousness of believing on Jesus that in doing so we would be saved. Such could occur at any time in one's life. We will call this stage one, where one is completely aware of the decision for Christ they have made.
Now at stage one, if we have truely believed in Christ Jesus, we do notice a dramatic change we cannot explain. Quite suddenly we have an urge on the inside to give, or turn the other cheek, or go the extra mile. Those that were our friends might be just as suddenly become antagonistic towards us. Depending on the age of the believer at this point, one may, or may not continue in the faith. If one is 10 years old at this point, one's spirit may fall asleep as one is not strong enough to continue on in the spirit. On the other hand, if one makes a decision for Christ when one is more mature, or older age wise, this new Christlike nature on the inside might continue. But such is by no means the end of our spiritual growth and development unless we continue on in a religious system. Religious systems stifle Christian spiritual growth and develpment because they say in order to continue you must do this or that. Or they say there is no more, or such passed away with the apostles. Hogwash! The Bible says, and we believe, that our spiritual life is as children of the Living God, and it is He, that guides our spiritual growth and development. Stage one, then, is believing in Christ Jesus. But is our Father finished with us at this point? Of course not! There is much, much, much more to come, if we will but continue believing.
Blessings!
Love, in Christ Jesus, Saint701.
Blessings!
Our spiritual experiences do vary from person to person, so what follows in several parts reflects some of those possibilities.
Today we begin our analysis of the stages of spiritual growth. Research has shown us that there could be 3,4,5,6,7,8, all the way up to 42 stages of spiritual growth. However, in our research, we did not encounter one perspective that approached the stages of spiritual growth as such being God's work in us. Shock! Since the entirity of God's work in us is to bring us to spiritual maturity and the saving of our soul, to a completeness of spiritual maturity, we find it odd indeed that such an important subject would be examined as one's own religious growth.
As stated before, we know Christianity is about spiritual life as sons and daughters in the Kingdom of Heaven, our Father's household, and our spiritual development is by Him and for Him to His glory and majesty.
Eph.2[10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.John.4[23] But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. [24] God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
.John.3[3] Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.[7] Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
First of all, in respect to the religious, one's spiritual growth may have begun before we were born. Or it might have begun shorty after we were born. Perhaps such began at a confirmation of some sort, we do not know, as we are spiritual, not religious. Our spiritual life may have begun when baptized in water with full consciousness of believing on Jesus that in doing so we would be saved. Such could occur at any time in one's life. We will call this stage one, where one is completely aware of the decision for Christ they have made.
Now at stage one, if we have truely believed in Christ Jesus, we do notice a dramatic change we cannot explain. Quite suddenly we have an urge on the inside to give, or turn the other cheek, or go the extra mile. Those that were our friends might be just as suddenly become antagonistic towards us. Depending on the age of the believer at this point, one may, or may not continue in the faith. If one is 10 years old at this point, one's spirit may fall asleep as one is not strong enough to continue on in the spirit. On the other hand, if one makes a decision for Christ when one is more mature, or older age wise, this new Christlike nature on the inside might continue. But such is by no means the end of our spiritual growth and development unless we continue on in a religious system. Religious systems stifle Christian spiritual growth and develpment because they say in order to continue you must do this or that. Or they say there is no more, or such passed away with the apostles. Hogwash! The Bible says, and we believe, that our spiritual life is as children of the Living God, and it is He, that guides our spiritual growth and development. Stage one, then, is believing in Christ Jesus. But is our Father finished with us at this point? Of course not! There is much, much, much more to come, if we will but continue believing.
Phil.1
[6] Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Blessings!
Love, in Christ Jesus, Saint701.