Another key to spiritual growth

As we continue on with keys to growth we come to Phil 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Paul reminds us again that spiritual growth is a process. He himself has not obtained perfection or reached a place where he can say that he has made it. However he reveals to us a key when he says "but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me."

Paul is pressing forward to take hold of something. The greek word here means to "seize or posses". What is it that has captivated Paul and that has kept him focused on achieving this goal? He was holding on to the purpose for which Jesus saved him.

What was Jesus purpose for Paul? Apart from salvation, Jesus had a specific job for Paul to do. Jesus knows that spiritual growth occurs more rapidly in the outworking of our calling. In Acts 9:15 we are told what Paul was saved for,  9:15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.

As he focused on this call, Paul matured.

The question we may ask is , "What has Jesus, taken hold of me for"? When we discover and strive to posses it we will place ourselves in an enviroment for rapid growth. It is interesting that the very things Paul had mentioned in verses 4-6 showed him to be a teacher, a man of passion and discipline, a man zealous for God and a man with great education and training. All these things; his giftings, heart, abilities, personality and experiences were the same tools he used in spreading the gospel. We need to understand that what Jesus has called us to, He has made and equipped us for.

Key to spiritual growth

In Philippians 3 Paul shares some truths about spiritual growth; in particular, the environment in which this growth occurs best.

He warns the church in Philipi that false teachers (verse 2) will teach that righteousness comes by works of the flesh. That is, we are made right with God by our own human efforts. If we observe all the law and its rituals we will be right with God. Paul counters this by showing them (vs 4-6) that if anyone could be saved by works it was him. Paul had discovered that all the things he had previously relied upon to be acceptable with God were actually hindrances.

vs 7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.

At his conversion on the Damascus road Paul discovered it was by grace and faith in Jesus alone that makes us right with God, not the works we do.

He then says in verse 10 "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death."  This knowing is more than head knowledge, it goes to relationship. This is where knowledge is acted on and brings the experience of God into our life. These are the  two elements we have been talking about that bring about spiritual growth. Incorporated in this is the desire for us to move in the power of the Spirit.

Spiritual Growth

Spiritual growth or maturity is the process we go through here on earth to become more Christ-like; more like Jesus.

People can find themselves in one of two camps. Some people have a knowledge about God and think that this is sufficent. However, it is mere intellectual assent with no real experience of God because they have never added faith to their knowledge.

Others have the experience of God and base their growth around experience. If they sense God in a meeting or experience some manifestaion, they think that is the mark of spirituality.

Both these positions do not lend themselves to spiritual growth. As a flame needs oxygen to remain burning and useful, so knowledge about God (the flame), needs the experience of God (the oxygen) to produce growth in our lives. Faith in action is the catalyst that ignites and melds these two positions into a step of spiritual growth.

God causes or allows us to face  times of trials, sufferings and persecutions so as our faith may be tested. Testing brings growth or an exposing of the lack of growth in our lives. How many times have we faced situations, and found that our reactions have shown us that we are not as mature as we thought? This growth is a process and will not be complete in our lifetime.

How to catch God's attention

In Mark 12: 41-44 Jesus shares the story of the widow who gave her all to the Lord. This story highlights what catches Jesus attention in a positive way.

As Jesus observed different offerings from the rich to the poor, there were certain aspects of the widows offering that Jesus commends. We must remember that God observes everything we do; nothing goes unnoticed to Him. He is both omniscient and omnipresent.

So firstly, Jesus comments on proportional giving. Jesus is teaching us that how much we give is related to how much we have.

Earlier, Jesus had taught his disciples, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked" (Luke 12:48). Paul reiterates this principle to the Corinthian church: "On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income..." (1 Corinthians 16:2

Secondly, He commends sacrificial giving. Jesus doesn't tell the woman to keep her money, that God doesn't really need it. He lets her give and his heart swells with pride for this lady. If He stops her, he deprives her of the blessing of giving to God. But know that when you make sacrifices for God, He is watching. It doesn't matter if no one else sees or knows. It is better that they do not. But you may count on the fact that God sees and knows your giving. Jesus promises, "Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matthew 6:4).

Thirdly, It shows he dependence on God. She gave all she had to “Live on” the greek word "bios" – resources needed to maintain life. It showed her faith and dependency on God. This was not presumption her attitude was sacrificial. She put God first. In sacrificial giving it may be our time, energy or resources.

Lastly it shows that we should not despise what you have to give. We should not despise our small gifts to God. Sometimes we fall under the worldly spell that "bigger must be better." That's not true of our giving to God. We are to give what we are able, whether small or great. If you've ever been poor, then you know that it is easy to feel, "My small gift won't make any difference. It won't matter." But that's not true. It does matter. It matters to your Heavenly Father who loves you.

Of course this is not only limited to our finances but to witnessing, praying, friendships, church involvement, attendance, testimony, prophecies and prayer. In fact, all of our life should reflect this woman's attitude and actions. Then we will attract Jesus' attention in a right way. As Jesus said of this woman "what she did was greater than all the others".