EFFORT TO GROW ON - By Calvin Wulf
Spiritual Growth
Spiritual growth requires intentional effort across a long journey with Jesus. Some Christians say that practicing spiritual disciplines is "works," so they don't take them seriously. The simple truth that "salvation comes as a gift by faith" gets pushed too far sometimes when it's applied to spiritual growth.
As Dallas Willard explains, the gospel is not opposed to human effort, but it is opposed to righteousness through our own works. The apostle Paul teaches that spiritual growth requires the same rigorous training as one who prepares for athletic competition. Yes, that's the same Paul who writes, "You have been saved through faith."
Don't be fooled by easy "cheap grace" doctrines. Why not enter into the disciplines of a true disciple instead? There's a good reason why the word discipline and disciple are so much alike. Set a goal for yourself to live a life pleasing to God.
TAGS: Spiritual Growth,Spiritual Disciplines,Christian Living
Posted by Spiritual Formation House at 8/4/2009 6:00 AM 
Categories: ALL CALVIN'S ENTRIES, Spiritual Growth
Tags: Christian Living Spiritual Disciplines Spiritual Growth
Categories: ALL CALVIN'S ENTRIES, Spiritual Growth
Tags: Christian Living Spiritual Disciplines Spiritual Growth
Hello sir and ma,
Great to read this article as was the last one about hard and easy living. I look over my own Christian life, struggling to come to terms with who Jesus really is to me. His light keeps shinning for us....and it is by his mercy that we are not consumed. I love to share this reading with I got from www.christianitytoday.com
It makes me see Life in Christ has a whole culture. A complete Life I can appeal to, take with me as I look through life. It is called CHRIST ALONE
We see that our whole salvation and all its parts are comprehended in Christ.
We should therefore take care not to derive the least portion of it from anywhere else.
If we seek salvation, we are taught by the very name of Jesus that it is "of him."
If we seek any other gifts of the Spirit, they will be found in his anointing.
If we seek strength, it lies in his dominion; if purity, in his conception; if gentleness, it appears in his birth.
For by his birth he was made like us in all respects that he might learn to feel our pain.
If we seek redemption, it lies in his passion; if acquittal, in his condemnation;
if remission of the curse, in his cross; if satisfaction, in his sacrifice;
if purification, in his blood; if reconciliation, in his descent into hell;
if mortification of the flesh, in his tomb; if newness of life, in his resurrection;
if immortality, in the same; if inheritance of all blessings, in his kingdom;
if untroubled expectation of judgment, in the power given to him to judge.
In short, since a rich store of every kind of good abounds in him, let us drink our fill from this fountain, and from no other.
Akin, Nigeria.
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Akin, that is a beautiful meditation. I am also impressed by your desire to know Jesus. He is all and in all. Focus on the name that is above all names and you will know him intimately and fully.
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