In Colossians 1:9-11, Paul wrote, “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;…”
Paul wanted spiritual strength for his beloved brethren, but strength doesn’t come easy. Spiritual growth requires food and exercise, and this is exactly what Peter stated: “Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious” (1 Peter 2:1-3). In the physical realm, our bodies won’t function without them. The reward of growth is in v. 12 — we can be “partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.”
A Christian grows in multiple ways:
- First, you grow by private study of the Scriptures, both the Old Testament (Romans 15:4) and the New Testament (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Bible is our guide. It’s alive and active; it’s powerful and true. It’s our only offensive weapon against the enemy.
- Second, you grow by prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17; James 5:16). It is so incredibly important to pray, to talk to God. It’s the only way to build a deep relationship with God.
- Third, you grow by attending worship to God (John 4:24; Colossians 3:16).
- Fourth, you grow by the company of fellow Christians (Acts 2:42-47). We were never meant to journey alone. We all need help in different ways.
- Fifth, you grow by serving others (Acts 20:35; 1 Peter 4:10). Sometimes we need to take our eyes off ourselves and see the benefit we can bestow to others.
- Sixth, we must be ruthless against sin (Mark 7:20-23; 1 John 1:8-10). Sin will always take us farther than we ever intended to go. It’s been proven over and over again. Don’t be fooled. Don’t mess around with thinking you’re strong enough to withstand it all on your own or that you can play with fire and not get burned.
Spiritually strong Christians are an incredible asset to their family and their church. You owe it to your eternal destiny to work on your spiritual strength!
Kyle Campbell