Growth: What are the signs of a progressing believer?
What is “a believer?” We’ll start there. A believer in this case is someone who has accepted the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the sole basis for their salvation.
2 Corinthians 5:21
21 For he [God the Father] hath made him [Jesus Christ] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. [Emphasis added]
It is when that truth is accepted that this process of spiritual growth begins. It is then and only then that a person can begin to fulfill God’s commands to grow spiritually.
2 Peter 3:18
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. [Emphasis added]
It is this full knowledge of Him that should be our main goal in life. Please note the apostle Paul’s words below about this. As personally righteous as he was, he knew he fell far short of God’s standard. He knew his only hope of obtaining that righteousness was through Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:8-9
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: [Emphasis added]
It is when a believer’s salvation is settled that he not only has the opportunity to grow spiritually, but in the knowledge of what is called the right division of Scripture. It is this command that desperately needs to be heeded by every believer. Unfortunately, so many don’t even know what this is.
2 Timothy 2:15
15 Study [SPOUDAZO = be diligent] to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. [Emphasis added]
Apart from doing this he’ll be confused and come to believe that the Bible is filled with contradictions. Such becomes the logical outcome of not knowing that though all the Bible from Genesis to Revelation is FOR us it is not all TO us or about us. I have articles on this website that fully explain this. If you haven’t already, I hope you’ll invest some time reading and learning the things I explain in those articles. They are things most churchgoers do not know but must know for good spiritual growth—
Bible: Where should a person begin studying?
Dispensations: What is this about?
This activity of studying your Bible needs to be something you work at every day, not just on Sundays or occasionally. It needs to be as daily as your eating habits.
Matthew 4:4
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. [Emphasis added]
Yes, your desire to know God and to please Him needs to be as ongoing as your desire to eat delicious and healthy meals. One of my favorite passages of Scripture on all this is Proverbs 8. I read it myself from time to time to remind me of the value of knowing the Word of God and working to share it with others as we do through this website. I don’t normally put lengthy passages like this one on this website but I hope you’ll take the time to read through this important chapter of your Bible. It will certainly be worth your time to do so.
Proverbs 8:1-36
1 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
This is speaking of the words of Scripture!
2 She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
Meaning that the Bible is taught in all kinds of places.
4 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
5 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.
9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
18 Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
22 The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates [where Scripture was often read and taught], waiting at the posts of my doors.
35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord.
36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death. [Emphasis added]
Again, what a wonderful reminder that passage proves to be to all of us!
Your desire to please God with the application of His Word should be your greatest of all desires in life. But always remember—you can’t apply what you don’t know. Therefore, your diligence to study the Scriptures and to learn from them should be ongoing with nothing being allowed to interfere with that. We are even told that it is by our faith in God and the things He wants us to know and live by that we become “friends” with God.
James 2:23
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. [Emphasis added]
Though there are many things in the writings of James that conflict with God’s policy for us today, believing the things God speaks to us through His Words that are addressed to us in the writings of the apostle Paul isn’t one of them. Again, for more information about this, please see my article about it—
It should become the goal of every believer to let his thinking be transformed by the words of Scripture that are addressed to us.
Romans 12:1-2
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. [Emphasis added]
Again, no better use of your time can be made than in this.
The final but most moving feature of a progressing and growing believer is the enthusiasm they have concerning what they know about their salvation. Because of that they gladly speak up and share what they’ve found in Christ with others, wanting them to have these blessings too. If you’re not one who is doing that, you have a serious problem that needs to be addressed immediately. We see in Scripture the attitude our Lord has toward people who are lukewarm about all this.
Revelation 3:15-17
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: [Emphasis added]
There’s no need for you to be concerned about losing your salvation because of this but there should certainly be concern about the loss of rewards in eternity that can only be yours through faithful service to our God. An important part of that is sharing the good news gospel message about Jesus Christ and more. If you’ve not been doing that, don’t you think it is time for a change. The level of your rewards depends on it. Here’s the link to one of my articles about this—
Rewards: For what will God wish to reward you in eternity?
Always realize that the Word of God in your heart is far more valuable than any material assets you may own. To be ignorant of God’s Word is to be spiritually bankrupt. Here are links to some other articles that will be helpful to you about all this—
Bible: Are you even aware of how much you don’t know?
Bible: Do you have time to study it?
Bible: How eager are you to study it?
Bible: How important is it to you?
If you’ve not been progressing as a believer, the articles and videos linked to this website can be a big help to you with that. Why not begin this project immediately!
