Spiritual Growth / Sanctification and Growth

  • Patience in Trials

    Job 1:20–22

    When we are suffering, we are often strongly tempted not to praise God. Matthew Henry notes that Job adored the Lord when he was blessed and when he suffered. “When all was gone he fell down and worshipped… . Weeping must ...Read More

  • Patterns of Growth

    Hebrews 6:11–12

    Some in the original audience of the book of Hebrews wanted to return to the old covenant. In order to avert this, the author exhorts them to imitate the faith of the old covenant saints. This faith was not in ...Read More

  • Paul’s Former Confidence

    Philippians 3:4–6

    John Calvin wrote, “Paul speaks here of that righteousness which would satisfy the common opinion of mankind. For he separates the law from Christ.” When the law of God is treated as an end in itself, then we start to ...Read More

  • Persevering Diligence

    Proverbs 10:4, 26; 21:5

    During the day today, consciously fill every moment with productive activity (including eating and necessary rest). Refrain from wasting time. If you find your day filled already, are you doing too much? Are you often rushed? If so, think about ...Read More

  • Persevering in the Faith

    Philippians 2:12–18

    Read 2 Corinthians 3:18 and 4:16–5:8. What is the comfort of these passages? Does 2 Corinthians 4:16–5:8 represent your life with its struggles with sin and the weakness of the flesh? God has ...Read More

  • Planning to Grow

    Luke 14:25–33

    Today, let us all sit down and set a goal to help us grow spiritually over the course of the year. If our prayer lives have been inconsistent, perhaps we need to commit to a specific time of prayer each ...Read More

  • Planning to Grow

    Luke 14:25–33

    One very practical way to contribute to your spiritual growth is to set goals in your piety. Take some time to look at your life, and set goals in the areas that need priority ­— prayer, Bible study, evangelism, works of ...Read More

  • Playing for Keeps

    Philippians 3:12–16

    Part of the discipline needed for spiritual growth is regular participation in the local church. Worship on Sunday wherein we hear the Word preached and see it made visible in the sacraments is vital to our long-term spiritual health. But ...Read More

  • Power to Minister

    Acts 1:8

    If you are a Christian, you have already received the Holy Spirit, and you have the mind and ability to serve God and His church. We all may not be ordained to specific church offices, but all of us who ...Read More

  • Preparing to See the King

    Genesis 46:31–34

    It is sometimes difficult to discern how to live in the world but not of the world. But surely we are living too much according to the world’s standards if we never encounter any opposition to the Gospel. Do ...Read More

  • Pressing Forward

    Philippians 3:12–14

    John Chrysostom, the noted ancient church preacher, says that the pursuer of a goal “sees nothing, he thrusts away all who impede him with great force, he cherishes his mind, his eye, his strength, his soul and his body, looking ...Read More

  • Privileges and Responsibility

    Ephesians 4:1

    Living in a manner worthy of our calling is not following a legalistic checklist of do’s and don’ts. Instead, it is a gratitude-inspired pursuit of God-given growth in personal holiness. Even though this is our duty, it should ...Read More

  • Proper Christian Growth

    Colossians 1:9-10

    It is all too easy for us to think that once we know the basics of the gospel we must then move beyond them for true spiritual growth. Yet it is not extrabiblical revelations and methods that mature us, nor ...Read More

  • Proving Our Faith

    Isaiah 58

    Our good works do not get us into the kingdom of God, but they do evidence the authenticity of our faith. We cannot rely in any way whatsoever on these works if we want to see God, but if we ...Read More

  • Pure Spiritual Milk

    1 Peter 2:1–3

    What is your response to the Word of God? Do you crave it with the hunger that a newborn infant has for his mother’s milk? Or are you indifferent, thinking that your study of Scripture does not really contribute ...Read More