Imagine a mother, cradling her newborn baby for the first time. There is joy in her eyes and a promise of love unconditional. She knows as she holds this child, their life has just begun, but it’s the journey of growth that lies ahead that will shape this baby into the person they will become.
…unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)
This is where our spiritual journey begins – a rebirth into a new life with Christ. The birth is irrevocable. By believing in Jesus, we are spiritually reborn, an act of God where He imparts eternal life to the believer forever. This spiritual birth is an entry point, a moment when we are born into God’s family, with Jesus as our Savior. It’s a one-time event that secures our place in God’s eternal kingdom, no matter what.
…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ… (2 Peter 3:18)
After birth comes growth. Just like a newborn baby, we too need to grow spiritually. Our growth in faith, in understanding, in love, and in obedience to Christ, is a lifelong process. It’s like a child learning to walk, then run, gradually maturing into an adult. We are meant to grow, to mature in our faith, to deepen our relationship with Jesus. If we choose not to grow, to remain in spiritual infancy, we miss out on the fullness of our relationship with Christ.
No matter how much we stumble and fall in our process of spiritual growth, our spiritual birth—our salvation—remains unaffected. But to fully experience the depth and richness of life with Christ, we must strive to grow, to mature, to live a life of discipleship.
How does the analogy of natural birth and growth help you distinguish between spiritual birth (salvation) and spiritual growth (discipleship)?
Can you recall periods of your life when you experienced significant spiritual growth? What triggered this growth?
What steps can you take now to ensure you continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?
