Love & Grow

Philippians 1:⁹ “I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding”

Yesterday, we looked at the first of the five areas that you and I need to focus on for the rest of our lives and have a significant life both here on earth and in heaven. The first is, God wants us to centre our lives around Him. God wants to be the centre of your life and my life.

#2: God Wants Me To Learn To Love His Family: The second thing God wants us to focus our lives on is learning to love God’s family. There are fifty-six ‘one anothers’ in the Bible. Love one another, comfort one another, cherish one another, defend one another, and so on. You cannot do them by yourself. You need to be engaged in the church. Join a small group, join a life group, join a department in church. It is so important. Hebrews 10:²⁵ “Let us not give up the HABIT OF MEETING TOGETHER, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more, since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer.” (GNT, emphasis added). When you have a habit of meeting together, you do it instinctively.

The first focus is ‘Worship and the second focus is ‘Fellowship’. Acts 2:^{41-42, 46} “Those who believed…were baptized and added to the church… They joined with the other believers and committed themselves to the Apostles’ teaching and fellowship… They worshiped together regularly at the Temple…and met in small groups in homes…” (paraphrased, emphasis added). Can you see the order? God wants you to believe in Jesus first and foremost. Then, get baptized, then join a church family, then come to regular worship, and then connect to a small group – that is fellowship. That is the natural progression.

#3: God Wants Me to Cultivate Spiritual Maturity. The third thing God wants us to focus our lives on is cultivating spiritual maturity. It is big! God does not just want us to get saved and remain a baby for the rest of our lives. Hebrews 6:¹ “…Let us go on… and become mature in our understanding, as strong Christians ought to be…” (LB, emphasis added). The third purpose is called, ‘Discipleship’. A disciple is simply a student. God wants us to be students of His Word, open to learning and growing. Hebrews 5:¹² “By now you should be teachers. Instead, you still need someone to teach you...!” (GW, emphasis added). God has expectations for your life. By now God expects that you should be able to tackle certain things.

Prayer: Father, I pray that my love will overflow more and more and that I will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding of Your will, in Jesus Name. Amen!