PROVERBS 13:4 – The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
THEME OF THE DAY. GROWING IN CHRIST. Ask any Christian this question, “Do you want to grow in grace, knowledge, and intimacy with the Lord Jesus?”, and the answer should be, “Of course I do. I desire to know the Lord better and be close to Him.” Okay, then comes two more questions, “How is that going?” and “What steps are you taking to make that professed desire a spiritual reality?”
First, let’s remember growth in Christ isn’t easy; spiritual stagnation is. Maturity in Christ isn’t easy; spiritual laziness is. Intimacy with Christ isn’t easy; spiritual indifference is. It takes all we have to stay close to Christ while it takes nothing to drift away from Christ. Just let spiritual neglect enter our daily lives and the drift begins. Unless this drift is stopped by spiritual resolve, it will deepen to the point of being in a full-blown backslidden condition. Listen to the warning of this happening from King Solomon – How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man (Proverbs 6:9-11).
Next, growth in Christ begins with desire; real desire, not like that in today’s scripture. The desire or “craving” that Solomon writes of is self-deception. Just saying, “I desire to grow in Christ” doesn’t mean the desire is genuine. A true desire always contains action to pursue the professed desire. So, if we want to grow in Christ, evaluate the desire. If it is a real Spirit-generated desire, it will contain the next two actions.
Self-discipline. True desire to grow in Christ contains the self-discipline to pursue Christ through the primary means He has given – the Word and prayer. And the number one area of challenge to any spiritual growth is our flesh; our craving for comfort, ease, and rest. If we don’t overcome this, no growth will occur. Embrace the Apostle Paul’s words – But I discipline my body and keep it under control . . . (1 Corinthians 9:27). Without this all-out war on our bent toward comfort, ease, and rest, our desire will prove disingenuous. When the flesh seeks to keep us from time in the Word and prayer, rely upon Christ’s strengthening power to bring it to its knees. He will do so. Trust Him.
The other action which validates true desire and ensures we grow in the Lord is determination. This means we simply will not be denied spiritual growth. We will pursue Christ. We will value Him so much that the flesh, the world, and the devil will be fought against and denied for the sake of Christ. Our pursuit will be “Apostle Paul-like” – Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14).
We know the seriousness in our pursuit of spiritual growth by our discipline and determination. This is not legalism but the fruits of godly desire to know the Lord, enjoy the Lord, and become like the Lord. May it be so of us; desire for Him that turns in to discipline and determination to “have” Him.
PRAYER: “Father, help me to develop a life of discipline so that I might get close to You in Word and prayer.”
QUOTE: “We have all we need to draw near to God; His Spirit, His Word, and prayer. Seize all regularly.”