Growing is a phenomenon that we are all familiar with, and it includes every living thing on earth whether people, animals, or plants. As long as we live we grow! Plants and trees grow producing their fruit and beauty; even as “mature” adults we are told that cells in our body continually die off and are being replaced by new ones. When growth stops death sets in and vice versa. Growth requires nourishment. This is why the farmer cultivates and fertilizes his crop as referred to by Jesus in Luke 13:8. For this same reason Peter writes concerning our spiritual lives in 1 Peter 2:2 “as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.” Then in 2 Peter 3:18 he expands on this saying, “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Paul also gets in on this in Ephesians 4:15 “but speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head – Christ.” Also the writer of Psalm 92:3 says, “The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.” The Hebrew in this verse is “To enlarge (especially upward…)” we are growing up into the fullness of Christ. Then the Psalm goes on to say that not only will we flourish, but “still bring forth fruit in old age.” This brings me back to my earlier point that as long as we live we grow!
Growing
By Rose Hill
In grace and spiritual strength I must grow,
And more of my Savior learn to know.
Oh the blessings of His grace divine,
And to know that Jesus is really mine.
He made me alive and lifted me up,
With exceeding riches He fills my cup.
Grace is a wonderful gift that God has given,
So I can’t boast of my righteous living
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. used by permission.