Grow Up in Him: Live Out the Message Christ Formed in You

Bread

The Lion Loosed

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.  James 1:22 (NIV)

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.  2 Peter 3:18 (NIV)

Butter

The Lesson Learned

Believers in Christ are not to remain the same.  We are a new creation and we are to grow up in Him Who is our Head.  The old has gone the new has come.  Many remain immature infants, swayed and confused over every wind and wave of doctrine that presents – whirled around by the teaching and trickery of the deceitful and cunning.  God has better plans for us than this.  He wants us to grow up in Christ so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers (that would be us).  

One of the preferred tools God chooses and uses to produce Christlike character in His saints is through suffering.  We don’t seem to learn much when things are going swimmingly well, Amen?  Yet, in our trials and tribulations – we will discover much fruit is produced by much suffering.  As grapes must be squeezed and pressed hard to make the wine so too the saint to make us like the Master.  Pruning never feels good but that is exactly what makes us even more fruitful.  Our sufferings produce in us perseverance, character and hope – and hope does not disappoint.  God’s goal is to purify our hearts making us more like His Son. This is always for the unmingled good for every heir of mercy.  We want to walk as He walked.

Further, we were created to be inhabited by Jesus.  Learn the blessing of dying to self so that Christ lives in and through us – His power and His righteousness made manifest in our actions and words.  His eyes our eyes, His hands our hands, His words our words.  Paul rightly proclaims:  “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain”.  It is for us to be, for Him to act.  We are to rest secure in Him.  He will strengthen and equip us to walk in a manner worthy of His Gospel.

Heart Savor

The Lion Roars

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.  Ephesians 4:14-16 (NIV)

  • We are never to be lacking in zeal but keep our spiritual fervor serving the Lord.
  • We are to be zealous for the Lord’s great Name – through His power for His glory.
  • Create in me a pure heart and a steadfast spirit Oh Lord.