“God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love — like Christ in everything” (Ephesians 4:15).
God wants you to grow up: “We are not meant to remain as children” (Ephesians 4:14).
God’s will and plan for us is to mature and develop the characteristics of Jesus Christ, living a life of love and humble service. God wants to see you live a life dedicated to growing closer to Him. Many Christians tend to grow in their faith the first year of their walk, then stay in the comfort of their own will and desires.
They’re stuck in perpetual spiritual infancy, remaining in pride and maybe fear. The reason is because they never intended to grow. Spiritual growth is not automatic, it takes an intentional commitment. You must want to grow, decide to grow, make an effort to grow, and persist in growing.
Discipleship is the process of becoming like Christ, and it always begins with a decision. “‘Follow me and be my disciple,’ Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him” (Matthew 9:9).
When the first disciples chose to follow Jesus, they didn’t understand all the implications of their decision. They simply responded to Jesus’ invitation. I encourage you right now to accept this God given invitation and follow Christ!
I also encourage you to step back and look at the fruit your walk with God has or maybe hasn’t produced. Do you see a change in your life, or do you see yourself with one foot in and one foot out? Today take the time to study what discipleship looks like in the Bible. God desires to be with us and have relationship with us!
Scriptures to read and pray over:
Matthew 28:18-20
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Luke 14:27
Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
2 Timothy 2:2
And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
John 15:1-17
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. …
Luke 14:33
So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
1 Corinthians 11:1
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.