In Chapters 1-3 of 1 Thessalonians Paul praises the Thessalonians for their outstanding growth in the Lord and their brotherly love. Beginning in Chapter 4, Paul’s tone changes just a tad. Paul still expresses his love for them, still thinks highly of them, but he senses the need to speak more directly. Even though the known Christian world had heard about the Thessalonians’ growth in Christ, he reminded them to stay the course in v. 1 of Chapter 4…. “to do more and more.”
The Christian life is not Once and Done, how many times do we wish it were so? “Perishable skill,” is a term used during firearm and defensive tactics training. It means practice, practice, and more practice. You know, use it or lose it.
I am NOT saying that our salvation is in danger of being lost, but I think it is an accurate statement that our walk and growth in Christ is a perishable skill, our faith is a perishable skill. Don’t think so? Just look at the history of Israel, how often they left the Lord and chased after other gods, not a sign of growing faith. Look at the disciples and how often Jesus corrected them for their lack of growth in their faith.
Continued Growth
So what does continued growth look like? Paul mentions a few road posts:
- Avoid sexual immorality
- Don’t be impure
- Don’t reject the instruction of the Lord
- Don’t meddle
There are many other “lists” of Paul: Fruit of the Spirit, Love Chapter, etc. One that I like that gives us a wonderful picture of the progression of our growth and can serve as a gauge of our growth is 2 Peter 1:5-9.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.
Do you see growth in any of these areas? Which area do you need grow in? What are you doing to grow? It doesn’t just happen; it takes an active will and intention. starting with a personal decision, the decision to believe God is smarter than we are and we do well to listen to His instructions. Do more, apply more, grow more.
Take your spiritual growth temperature, look at 2 Peter 1:9 again, a great picture of dry bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14). Once you are there, life can be heavy, and lifeless, and defeating…. but, all is not lost, and it is never too late to grow… Do more, apply more, grow more.