Christian Growth

Christian growth is not a matter of emptying the mind, but of renewing it through God-authorized soul-food (Rom 12:2; Heb. 5:11-14; 1 Peter 4:11). Neither is it a matter of learning some new or venerable contemplative technique, but of meditating upon the Word both day and night (Psalm 1; Joshua 1:8). Nor is it fundamentally a matter of “loving” relationships, but of abiding in the only One who is the source of all love (John 15:5-8). The relationships will follow!

It’s the Gospel alone that will nourish our troubled souls. Elyse Fitzpatrick, director of Women Helping Women Ministries, writes:

“Every step we take in our Christianity…depends upon an intentional revisiting of the Gospel. After all, what does a sad person need more than to be gently, yet continually, reminded of the good news?”

This might sound trite--merely a matter of words and stale doctrines that fail to impact the heart. But please reconsider how words can exercise tremendous power, especially as they are applied to the heart by the Holy Spirit. Fitzpatrick continues:

“Bathing our soul in the Gospel message will powerfully transform…It’s true that I’m more sinful and flawed than I ever dared believe, and that truth frees me from the delusion that I’ll ever be able to approve of myself [and from the internal strife of trying to maintain this delusion]; but I’m also more loved and welcomed than I ever dared hope, and that truth comforts and encourages me when my heart condemns me…It assures me that although I struggle with accepting myself, the Holy King has declared me righteous. What I’ve really needed – forgiveness, welcome, and enduring love, have all been given to me in Christ.” (The Gospel Cure, TableTalk, March 2008, p.17)

My heart had been painfully condemning me for years, telling me that I was a nothing and unworthy of any Christian service, let alone the love of Christ. Many times, these condemning words brought me to the point of giving up entirely. However, I found that there were other words that would overwhelm the words of condemnation. they were the words of the Gospel and not the kindly words of my five psychologists.

While the Gospel told me I was totally unworthy, it also announced that God loved me profoundly and would never stop doing so, that nothing would ever deprive me of His love (Rom. 8:38-39)--the very things I needed to know! I don’t need to learn any meditative techniques, nor enter into any contemplative states. Nor do I have to learn how to tune into my alpha waves. Christ is all we need!

“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority” (Col. 2:9-10).

Daniel Mann