The Basics of Life - “Why Grow”

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For God knew his people in advance and he chose them to become like his son, so that his son might become first born among many bothers and sisters"

Romans 8:28-29

We love to quote this verse...verse 28. This verse is a promise of God that brings hope in troubling times. We live in the reality that God is in control and He is working things for good. What we cannot miss is that the good that God is working is that you become like Jesus.

God is so loving and good that he would never ask you to do or become something or someone that he would not empower you through the Holy Spirit to do or become.

I think that we miss this. For years I thought being a good Christian was attending, studying, praying, serving, and giving. But there is so much more. While all those activities are good God longs for my character to be transformed so that I might think like Jesus, see like Jesus, speak like Jesus, hear the voice of Jesus, and to have the mind of Christ. Even the misnomer of being Good is confusing. I am not to be a good Christian...I am to become like Jesus.

This big leap of thought requires a deeper commitment. I literally have to say spiritual growth matters. This is a declaration of heart, soul, and mind. I will become all that God wants me to become... becoming like Jesus matters.