Spiritual Growth – 1 John

Spiritual Growth Issues

Based on 1 John 1 and 2, therefore please read those two chapters.

•  Consists of an increase in spiritual knowledge.

Since we our intelligent in nature we need to have knowledge in order to known God. We are to worship ‘intelligently’ as well as with our hearts filled with love. Love is not accomplished in a vacuum or without knowledge of the person. Could anyone look at another and say they ‘love’ that person and know perhaps only their name? One might know what a piano is and does, but without knowledge and exposure to it, we would not produce music, but sounds (noise) as we hit the keys with our fingers.

Likewise for us we would need knowledge of God in order for use to love Him. Therefore God, must reveal Himself and be known by us. Then we can grow to love Him and trust Him. Psalm 9:10 (ESV) And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you . Job 22:21 informs us that we are to “acquaint now thyself with, him and be at peace”. As we learn about God our hearts can become in-tuned with Him. We will see that He is definitely worthy of our love and devotion. Our study will do as Colossians 3:10 (ESV )  and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

With proper knowledge our Christen life we grow in understanding of Him and thus we cast our souls (self) upon Him as we place Him our everlasting source. 2 Peter 3:18 (ESV) “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. “

It is knowledge that deeply affects the heart to produce a reverence and a ‘fear of the Lord’ that is considered the beginning of knowledge. Proverbs 9:10 (ESV)states: “ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. “ 1 John 2:3–4 (ESV) And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, “

Our actions are to be in search for a knowledge of God that brings us to a realization of “Light”. From our study we will be able to say: “I see the light!” – Note Psalm 36:9 (ESV) ” For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.” As we do we will become completely dependent on God. When we are at that state than God will aid us to increase out “Spiritual Growth” .

The believer is dependent upon God for any increase of spiritual knowledge. Thus, one’s spiritual growth only occurs as the Holy Spirit is pleased to give fresh light and life to the believer’s mind. This was true from the beginning with the knowledge that God gave us to bring us to an awareness of Him and our need for Him to the point of our ‘personal salvation’.

•  Consists of a deeper delight in spiritual things and objects…

Spiritual Delight is a result of Spiritual Knowledge of spiritual things that led to conviction and the reality of one’s dependent position. This knowledge needs to produce our soul’s adherence to God’s Word and affection unto them as a ‘holy joy’. We have attained this attitude: Psalm 19:10 (ESV)“More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.”

The more we taste the delight of God’s wisdom and the grace He bestows us one will realize the Scriptures are the very Word of God himself. That person will want to be in the Word on a daily basis. One would have a yearning for the truth (word of God) that is not quenched. One could call it an insatiable appetite for God’s Word.

•  Consists in a greater love for God.

Basis: Romans 5:5 (ESV) “…and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. God’s love for His people does a listing of things.”

•  We are established in His favor (1 John 5:2)

•  We rejoice in hope and a hope that does not fail (1 John 5:2 and 1 John 5:5)

•  We are enabled to benefit from trails (1 John 5:3)

•  Our hearts are drawn to God (1 John 5:5)

•  We have an assurance (1 John 5:8-10)

This love will mean that we avoid things that can chill and dampen that relationship. We avoid ‘careless living’ as that would dull our senses toward God’s Love. We shun the embraces of the world as that is not where God is. We cultivate communion with God by prayer and frequent meditations on His perfections. Plus more….

•  Consists of the strengthening and enlarging of our faith

The statement that “Faith is a gift of God” in that He communicates that awareness to the hearts of His people. He provides the ‘talents’ needed for us to do His work. We are told to walk in Him as Colossians 2:6 says “T herefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,”

Faith is an act that we demonstrate when we surrender to the authority of Christ as King in our lives be continuing to trust in Him. We walk as he directs as stated in Colossians 2:6 (quoted above). Hebrews 10:28 (ESV)  Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses .

To maintain our faith we need to constantly feed on His Word. We walk and talk the Words of the Christ we put our faith in. 1 Timothy 4:6 (ESV) If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.

•  Consists of advancing in personal piety

How incomplete if we omitted all reference to progress in practical godliness. We walk realizing that we are not our own, but God’s children. 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20 (ESV) “ Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. “ This is contrary to the world’s view that we owe it to self, thus placing ourselves first.

(The above information extrapolated from author: MacArthur, J. (1966) – The Body Dynamic) – LDW