God's Word For You is a free Bible Study site committed to bringing you studies firmly grounded in the Bible – the Word of God. Holding a reformed, conservative, evangelical perspective this site affirms that God has provided in Jesus Christ his eternal Son, a way of salvation in which we can live in his presence guilt free, acquitted and at peace.

 
 

SPIRITUAL GROWTH

© Rosemary Bardsley

[1] THE FOUNDATION OF GROWTH

The foundation of spiritual growth is conversion. That is -

Being ‘born again’ – regenerated by the Spirit:

John 3:6:
Romans 8:8 – 9
Romans 8:15b – 16
1Corinthians 12:13
2Corinthians 1:20 – 22
Ephesians 1:13, 14

 

[2] THE FORCE OF GROWTH

Is the Holy Spirit: 2Corinthians 3:18

The Greek metamorphoumetha – we are being changed/transformed:

Is present tense – the transformation is on-going.
Is passive voice – the transformation is being done to us, not by us.

This transformation:

Is progressive – from one degree of glory to another.
Is goal-directed – into the image of Christ.

 

[3] THE FRUIT OF GROWTH

Is produced by the Holy Spirit:

Galatians 5:22 – 23
Ephesians 5:9
Ephesians 5:18 - 21

 

[4] FAILURE OF GROWTH

Reflects a wrong attitude to the Holy Spirit and to the written word of God:

1Thessalonians 5:19
Ephesians 4:30
2Timothy 3:15 – 17
Colossians 3:16

 

[5] FUTURE COMPLETION OF GROWTH

1John 3:1 – 3