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.