Ephesians 4.1
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.”
Spiritual growth is not an automatic process; it’s a disciplined process. We heard this message repeatedly in our series on the book of Proverbs. Growth is the result of musar … the process of disciplined training. Being saved doesn’t magically produce growth. In fact, you can be stuck on salvation. You can be a Christian who doesn’t develop. You can be saved and fail to grow.
The reason some Christians don’t grow isn’t because they can’t. It isn’t because they lack resources. It is because they aren’t trusting God, and they have failed to apply the self-discipline that the Holy Spirit provides.
As Christians, we have all of the resources we need. The Lord has saved and redeemed us through Christ, he indwells and empowers us through his Spirit, and he instructs and directs us through his word. What we need to do is respond with faith and self-discipline.
“We have been blessed in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 1.3)
“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.” (2 Peter 1.3)
Ephesians 3:8 says we have access to “the unfathomable riches of Christ.”
Clearly, we have everything we need for consistent, effective spiritual growth. The final element in spiritual formation, then, is how we respond to the riches, blessings, and power that are available to us in Christ. The necessary response is faith + self-discipline. If we do not trust God and exercise self-discipline, then we will not grow.
This is the core message of musar in Proverbs, and it is the core message of Ephesians 4.1.
Scripture is clear that this is not something we do in our own strength. The power for the transformation of our character comes from God: “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us …” (2 Cor. 4.7).
This is precisely why Paul prayed so diligently that we would understand the power of Jesus within us. He prayed that the eyes of our hearts would be enlightened, and that we would see and comprehend who we are in Christ, and that we would see and comprehend the incredible blessings we have in Christ … and then take action accordingly.
“Oh, my dear children! I feel as if I’m going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives.” (Galatians 4.19)
Trust God, and walk in the power that he has given to you.
