Growing Up Into Christ

Memory Verse: (Colossians 2:6-7) “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”

Growing in Christ is the life of every faithful believer. Our life is committed with bible study, prayer, and praise. His will must become our will. Growing in Christ means that we must rely on his strength to pull us through. The Apostle Paul summed it very clearly in II Corinthians 12. Paul experienced a constant growth in Christ. Some argue that his life was difficult because he persecuted God’s people. However, Jesus told him “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” In other words, the only way that we can overcome our weakness is that we rely on the grace and strength of Christ. Grace is the empowerment of God to do the things that we should do. Strength is the supernatural quality that allows us to deal with problems in a determined way. We draw close to Christ in our times of weaknesses. Weakness is not referring to physical strength. It is the lack of ability to deliver self; to realize that we are not self-sufficient. (II Corinthians 12:9)

Paul concluded, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” More than anything, we want the power of Christ to rest on us. People of God learn to accept and understood the blessings that come through trouble. At this point in a believer’s life, he has a daily life of prayer, praise, and the study of God’s word. He realizes that without Christ he can do nothing. To acknowledge that he is weak is not a cowardly thing to admit. It is when he admits his weaknesses that he learns to give glory to God. (II Corinthians 12:10)

Weakness has no gender. Men and women are weak. Mankind included both gender. Thank God that Christ died for all. We must rely on him to make us strong, when faced with life difficulties that we cannot solve or escape. We don’t have the means to take care of our problems. The strength to overcome comes from Christ only. This is when we experience growth in Christ. (Philippians 4:13)

Here are types of troubles that Paul indicated that he took pleasure in that power of Christ may rest on him. What a lesson for the 21st century church!

infirmities – the quality or state of being weak
reproaches – an expression of disapproval or disappoints
necessities -pressure of circumstance or an urgent need or desire
persecutions – to treat (someone) cruelly or unfairly especially because of race, religious or political beliefs
distresses- a painful situation

No one would find any of these troubles a pleasure. It is difficult to see the joy in suffering with the natural eyes. It is during these times, that we must rely on our faith in God. Growth in Christ enables us to address matters spiritually. It is joy, when we when experience the presence of Christ through our troubles. We learn through much prayer to walk, talk, and fellowship with the only One who can make us strong. (II Corinthians 4:17-18)

Growth happens when we learn to trust in the Christ. It is when we are conscious of our own weakness and nothingness that we must depend on the power of God. It is when we totally surrender to Him in complete dependence that His power is manifested in us and we are truly strong. (John 15:5)

In conclusion, many words of the Apostle Paul are hard to understand. But this is one lesson I hope that we understand. Troubles are not new to God’s people. God is preparing his people for the difficult troubles that we will face before the second coming of Christ. It will come down to whom we will worship. Shadrach, Meshach and Abnengo were found guilty of serving the true God. They had experience deep growth in their life to make the decision not bow to the king. Their life experiences had prepared them for that day. We will have to face very heated trials. Our present troubles are given to prepare us for the times that we will need to know more than ever that Jesus is our strength. Glory will go to God because we trust in the best gift he has given to man, Jesus. (Hebrews 12:2-3; Psalms 46:1)