Growth

Have you ever visited Washington, DC, our nation’s capital? If you have, you would have seen the Washington Monument. You can’t miss the memorial to our country’s first president. When you see this obelisk, you will notice something unusual. About a third of the way up the outside of this structure, you will observe a definite change in the color of the stones used to build it.

How can you know for sure that you are a true believer? How can you have certainty about your eternal home? These are key questions, and the answers focus on your spiritual growth. Here’s what Peter says in today’s passage.

Peter wrote his first letter to the believers scattered throughout what today is Northern Turkey. The letter was penned in late AD 64 or early 65. During that time, believers in Rome were experiencing intense persecution. It is probable that Peter was in Rome, watching the persecution firsthand. Normally the physical mistreatment of believers started in the larger cities, then spread through the countryside. Peter warned his readers that “now for a little while,” they may have to suffer. But like fire refines gold, so trial refines faith.

Hope doesn’t just happen. It is brought about by spiritual discipline and growth. When your children speak at your funeral, I bet they won’t mention the expensive Christmas gifts. Let’s aspire for their focus to be on the gift of Jesus that you allowed them to see in you up close and personal. 

The Spirit can and will overpower the sinful nature every time. Part of the growth process involves God allowing me to learn dependence upon his Spirit or caving to my own sinful desires.

Acknowledge the battle. That’s the first step in the spiritual growth process called sanctification.

The marriage covenant must be guarded and kept.

Salvation declares me not guilty; it produces spiritual growth; it delivers me home.

Dig deep to have a better understanding of who God is and learn how much He loves you. Let His truth wash over you and cleanse your heart. It is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Reading and studying God’s Word is the key to spiritual growth.