“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” (1 Corinthians 3:6-7)
One summer when I was pregnant with our youngest, morning sickness kept me confined to the couch. My only duties were to keep my other kids fed, bathed, and alive. By late summer, when I finally felt well enough to resume everyday life, I stepped outside to find rows of giant zucchini growing along the back of the house. Earlier that spring, I’d scattered a packet of seeds in the dirt and forgotten all about them. Without any watering, feeding the soil, or pruning the weeds, those seeds took root and grew into the most enormous zucchini I’d ever seen.
This memory reminds me of Paul’s words to the Corinthians when he said, “So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” Here are a few specific ways God is our trustworthy source of growth.
He Grows Us in Grace
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.” (Ephesians 4:4-7)
Have you ever considered the portion of grace God has given you? Grace to cover your sins and grow your faith? Unfortunately, grace has been misunderstood in the Church, some mistaking it as a license to keep sinning, while others dismiss it altogether.
The fantastic gift of God’s grace enables us to approach Him with confidence, receiving mercy and help in times of need. As Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (ESV)
Grace matures us, leading us away from legalistic thinking into righteous living. As Romans 6:14 says, “For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.”
Our trustworthy source of growth comes not from long lists of rules, but from the lavish gift of God through Christ Jesus. As the popular chorus says, “His grace is enough. His grace is enough. His grace is enough for me.”
Let’s Pray: Lord, please continue to grow me by grace through faith. I am humbled to receive what You have apportioned to me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
He Grows Us in Unity
“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-13)
Walking in unity with others is a sign of maturity. Sadly, we’ve seen division grow, not only in the world but in the Church. Friends, this should not be! The Lord desires to grow us in unity with Him and each other.
Unity in faith shouldn’t be as tricky as it is. As we look to God’s Word for life-giving truth and submit to the cultivation of His will, we should be drawn together, not driven apart. Here are some encouraging words for growth:
“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.” (1 Corinthians 1:10 ESV)
“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” (1 Peter 3:8)
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1)
Let’s Pray: Lord, please grow us in unity with You and each other. Cast down every division and unite us in faith. In Jesus’ name, amen.
He Grows Us in Righteousness and Holiness
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)
Have you ever caught yourself saying something like, “I’m trying, Lord. Am I doing the best I can.”? Self-effort is part of the human condition, and certainly, effort is needed to remain centered on Christ. However, He is the One who grows us in righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 2:8-10 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
We were created to be like God, and our righteousness comes from Christ. Our growth depends entirely on the work of the Spirit through us. It’s comforting to know we can lay down all human strivings and allow God to make us new. Instead of trying harder, we can trust more.
Like wrapping ourselves in a warm blanket on a chilly morning, we can “put on” cloaks of righteousness as we’re wrapped in Jesus’ light. In the words of Isaiah, “I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness.” (Isaiah 61:10)
Let’s pray: Lord, please grow us in the righteousness of Your Son. Clothe us in holiness as we surrender to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
He Grows Us in Kindness and Compassion
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)
I think we can all agree the world needs more kindness and compassion, yet sadly, we’re seeing the exact opposite. Only a life surrendered to Christ can grow in these areas without being drawn into further unrest. Forgiveness is foundational to this growth, daily forgiving our enemies and surrendering them to the Lord.
Imagine a culture where people spoke truth with kindness and remained faithful with compassion. It would be difficult for contentions to rise if everyone spoke from a motive of God’s love. What a difference it could make if each of us tested our own hearts with questions like:
What is my true motive here?
Am I just trying to be right?
Is this frivolous or fruitful?
When kindness and compassion don’t come easily, ask God to cultivate them in and through you. Increase comes by the Holy Spirit, and He is not lacking in fruitfulness. He is our trustworthy source of growth for life and faith.
Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, thank You for growing us up in Your will and way. Help us to abide in Your love, allowing Your Spirit to produce fruit in abundance. We look to You for growth and maturity, in Jesus’ name.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/greenaperture
