The Believer’s Growth

Though the Bible teaches that conversion includes the forgiveness of sins and being declared righteous and holy before God, Christians need to keep on growing in Christlikeness. This is a progressive, lifelong process, and it is the work of the Holy Spirit from beginning to end. Another name for this process is sanctification.

Sanctification is both instantaneous and a process. Though all Christians are sanctified (declared holy) at their conversion, they still possess a sinful nature and do sin. The apostle John warned: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves” (1 John 1:8). Conversion does not make a Christian sinless, and no work of grace eradicates the sinful nature. This will only happen when Christ returns, and we receive our resurrected bodies. Meanwhile, the Holy Spirit continues the process of sanctification.

The apostles frequently spoke of spiritual growth: “We are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” (Ephesians 4:15, emphasis mine). Paul prayed: “And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all” (1 Thessalonians 3:12, emphasis mine). Peter commanded his readers: “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18, emphasis mine). “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk that by it you may grow up into salvation” (1 Peter 2:2-3, emphasis mine).

They were already believers, but they needed to keep growing into Christian maturity. Scripture clearly teaches that spiritual growth in holiness happens by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:16, 1 Corinthians 6:11, 1 Peter 1:2). In 2 Corinthians 3:18, Paul says: “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” This should be the goal of every Christian—to be transformed into the image of the Lord Jesus Christ, with the help and enabling of the Holy Spirit.

Reflection

Is there an area of your life where you sense God calling you to deeper transformation? Prayerfully ask him to show you one step (prayer, fellowship, Scripture reading) you can take to allow the Holy Spirit to work.