Often the believer struggles hopelessly for years, until he listens to the teaching of the Spirit, as He glorifies Christ again, and reveals Christ, our Sanctification, to be appropriated by faith alone…. So far so good. “By the obedience of one shall many be made righteous” (5:19). What then should you do when he attacks? This is the condition of many Christians. They may be present and they may be valuable, but the Spirit’s object is something far greater—to form Christ in us through the working of the cross. “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. You have been in the arena, you have been endeavoring, you are a failure, come out and sit down, and as you sit there behold Him, look at Him. It has often been noticed that where there is the greatest exuberance of joy in young converts, there is often a levity which fails to take into account that the flesh is unchanged. Watchman Nee: “The Blood can wash away my sins, but it cannot wash away my ‘old man.’ It needs the cross to crucify me … the sinner… Our sins are dealt with by the Blood, but we ourselves are dealt with by the Cross. Your first instinct is to prepare yourself for a big battle and then pray to God to give you the victory in it. endobj There is nothing about us to commend us to God, our acceptance being in Christ, plus the fact that most of our true spiritual development comes through the dry and hard times. 5:17). 8:31).”. ATTITIDUES - Essential Attitudes for Spiritual Growth 5 C. WE MUST HAVE ATTITUDES OF COURAGE WITHOUT FEAR. Little does he know how healthy his condition is, and that this shattering discovery is but the prelude to a magnificent series of further discoveries of things which God has expressly designed for his eternal enrichment. The power to do is not a permanent gift, but must be each moment received from the Holy Spirit. 4 Tools for Spiritual Growth 5 pray. These principles are stated in such practical form that you will find it rewarding to read and reread them and, of course, to put them into practice. J. C. Metcalfe faithfully writes: “It is more than comforting to realize that it is those who have plumbed the depths of failure to whom God invariably gives the call to shepherd others. In this matter of Christian development there is no shortcut, no quick and easy way. [PDF] Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence For Every Believer (Commitment To Spiritual Growth) Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence For Every Believer (Commitment To Spiritual Growth) Book Review Absolutely essential go through publication. Not only is our life complete in Him but likewise the essential victory in all the many exigencies of that life. I must realize that now my life is hid with Christ in God; that He is my life” (Ian Thomas). “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. He knows the barren, bleeding hearts beyond to whom He must minister through us—hence He is going to bring us to the place where we don’t care what happens, He is all that matters! There is no victory for us which was not first His. By the time I was fifty I had published an infinity of designs; but nothing I produced before seventy is worth considering.’ He died at eighty-nine, declaring that if he could have only another five years he would have become a great artist.”. And, like middle age, this can be a dangerous stage—one of seeking a “much deserved” rest, of basking aimlessly in the fellowship of meetings, classes, etc., of ignoring or forgetting the struggles and growing pains of the tiny green blades down at one’s feet and expecting and exhorting them to shape up and mature without delay. Some aspects of the Christian life and walk which may have been puzzling to you will become clear as the Spirit of God is able to make them a reality in your daily life. We are not left to deal with the old life ourselves; it has been dealt with by Christ on the cross. Spiritual Maturity- Growing From Milk To Meat Discussion Aids 5 Grow From Where You Are 1 Timothy 4:12, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” Lesson Goal: Often we feel like we do not know where we need to start when we approach the spiritual growth … God can accept absolutely nothing from the old—He sees and acknowledges only that which is centered in His Son, who is our life. And much of the same pathway is trod (or crawled) in an effort to appropriate and enter in. 4C. The believer who is going through struggle and failure is the Christian who is being carefully and lovingly handled by his Lord in a very personal way. This is not a call given to the gifted, the highly trained, or the polished as such. “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For in Christian experience the spiritual things of God are less and less outward, that is, of gift, and more and more inward, of life. “This is the true place of consecration. Many a time faith and courage fail, the mind is weary and the heart is heavy, and you almost give up. You cannot get peace whilst reasoning in that way. J. Hudson Taylor: “Since Christ has thus dwelt in my heart by faith, how happy I have been! 3:14); “That ye might be filled with all the fulness of God” (Eph. Labor will be replaced by rest. Adolph Saphir wrote: “The narrow path, commencing with the cross—‘Ye have died with Christ’—ending with the glory of the Lord Jesus, is the path on which the Lord draws near and walks with His disciples.‘, “’Christ liveth in me.’ The Lord within lives as the sole source of life. We ask Him to come when He Is already present and waiting for us to recognize Him. “The Japanese artist, Hokusai, said, ‘From the age of six I had a mania for drawing the forms of things. And this is the Galatian error, so prominent even now throughout born-again circles. THE REALIZATION OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH by Miles J. Stanford Edited into digital media in 1995 from a book not claiming copyright Redone in pdf form by DJA April 2005 CONTENTS 1. 7:15), and, in consequence, he feels that the bottom has fallen out of his Christian life; and then perhaps the Devil whispers to him that it is just no good his going on, because he will never be able to make the grade. 6:6). Moreover, fear produces the obedience of slaves; love engenders the obedience of sons” (J. W. Sanderson, Jr.). Presumption can take fancy instead of fact. In this phase extravagant things are often said as to total deliverance and final victory. His reason for this is simple: Self cannot and will not follow Him, but taking up one’s cross results in death to self and newness of life in Christ Jesus. 4:19). But this will not continue if there is to be healthy growth and ultimate maturity. For we have no standing before God, in ourselves.“The lack of Divine blessing, therefore, comes from unbelief, and not from failure of devotion…“To preach devotion first, and blessing second, is to reverse God’s order, and preach law, not grace. “The development of the divine life in the Christian is like the natural growth in the vegetable world. Here we will focus on the spiritual principles behind the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, Steps 1 through 6. Church Growth Principle: According to McGavran and Ann, this is “a universal truth which, when properly interpreted and applied, contributes significantly to the growth of churches and denominations. Understanding and appropriating the facts of the cross proves to be one of the most difficult and trying of all phases for the growing believer. We will be ready to take up our cross when self becomes intolerable to us, when we begin to “hate our life” as spoken of in Luke 14:26. It is not by putting yourself to death, but by taking, through faith and surrender, your place of union with Christ in His death. 2:19). He cannot accept you thus; you are looking for righteousness in yourself as a ground of acceptance with Him. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord . “There have been those who have thought that to get themselves out of the way it was necessary to withdraw from society; so they denied all natural human relationships and went into the desert or the mountain or the hermit’s cell to fast and labor and struggle to mortify the flesh. This is our only ground, and from this platform we are to count ourselves dead to sin, self, the law and the world and alive to God in the risen Christ—to walk in “newness of life” (Rom. “May we cease to confuse the words ‘my cross’ with ‘the cross.’ Sometimes believers in self-pity bemoan themselves, and say, ‘I have taken, or must take up my cross, and follow Jesus.’ Would that we would lose sight of our Cross in His cross, then His cross becomes our cross; His death, our death; His grave, our grave; His resurrection, our resurrection; His risen life, our newness of life.” No, taking up our cross does not mean the stoical bearing of some heavy burden, hardship, illness, distasteful situation or relationship. We will be able to rest in our Lord Jesus and say to our Father, “Thy will be done.” And our constant attitude of faith will be: “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” (Job 13:15). His relentless processing will discourage and baffle us if we simply want heaven when we die. He knows how much we can take in, and He does not fail to minister to us the very food that is suitable to our present need. The one is, Does God fully accept me? Others are just as much occupied with bad self. Principles of Spiritual Growth The first part of Stanford’s work is based on book The Green Letters. This alone will bring forth fruit that abides. You are going to like how the blogger write this ebook. “The Blood can wash away my sins, but it cannot wash away my ‘old man’. Yes, we begin to glory in the cross, our very own freedom from all that enslaves, from all that would keep us from fellowship with our risen Lord. Spiritual Growth a resource in: Marriage • Parenting • Spiritual Growth • Sexuality • Relationships • Mental Health Men • Women • Hurts and Emotions • Singles • Ministers and Mentors • Technology Ten Lessons On Biblical Principles of Financial Stewardship. First, then, some of these man-centered methods. All this is not in vain; it is necessary. The Spiritual Growth … In I Corinthians 15:49 Paul gives us the heartening promise: “As we have borne the image of the earthy [Adam], we shall also bear the image of the heavenly [Christ].”. In that He died to sin, He died out of the realm of sin, and He arose into the realm of “newness of life” (Rom. In most instances of appropriation there is a waiting period between the acceptance and the receiving—often of years. Each must be settled before the next can be rested on. Until one is aware of his need to progress spiritually, he will never be brought beyond the birth truths—a mere babe in Christ. Paul’s determination for each of his converts was: “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you” (Gal. But most believers feel this is about as far as He went and are struggling to get on the best they can, with His help. 3:12, 14). In order to minister Life to others, what one does and says must flow from what he is. 26:28). 6:14). And in the matter of service, in witnessing and helping others, we must watch and wait for the hungry, the needy heart, if there is to be abiding fruit. Yes, for any experience which makes us more aware of our need of God must contribute to spiritual progress, unless we deny the Lord who bought us.”. Just here God would have us stand firm (rest) upon His written Word. “Nothing can set us apart for God, nothing can make us holy, except as the cross is working in us, because the cross alone can keep the hindrances to holiness in the place of death” (G. Watt). How can this be? How often the average congregation is put through this routine. We must never forget that “God’s ways are not always man’s ways. “And when he does open his plea for their high walk as saints, everything is based on the revelation before given the facts of their high character and destiny as saints: ‘I therefore … beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called’ (Eph. They are the foundation of and fundamental to it. “The Holy Spirit always reasons down from what God is, and this produces a total change in my soul. I can now appreciate the depth of Paul's spiritual insight. That is to say, the first stage of faith is always the battle of taking hold by the will, heart, and intelligence of some truth or promise which is not real to us in experience, and declaring it to be ours in spite of appearances. Doing is right enough in itself, but the order ought to be from happiness to work, and not work to be happy. We are thankful for permission from the author to publish this book for the benefit of a larger group of friends. “The believer can never overcome the old man even by the power of the new apart from the death of Christ, and therefore the death of Christ unto sin is indispensable, and unless the cross is made the basis upon which he overcomes the old man, he only drops into another form of morality; in other words, he is seeking by self-effort to overcome self, and the struggle is a hopeless one” (C. Usher). Throw down every endeavor and say, I cannot do it, the more I try the farther I get from His likeness. A journey towards being a true disciple of Jesus Christ. We ought, instead of wanting no trials before victory, no exercise for patience, to be willing to take them from God’s hand as a means. Have some even been afraid to allow others to really believe Him? Every hungry-hearted Christian yearns to be fully consecrated and conditioned for an effective life and service. Our self-life is out of balance—it is all one-sided. And ye are complete in him” (Col. 2:9, 10). And we receive the benefits of the work of the cross simply by reckoning on, or believing in, the finished work of the cross. In his classic, Romans, Verse by Verse, Wm. Faith has to do with the Word of God. This is taking up one’s cross. Our responsibility is to see in the Word all that Is ours in Christ and then thank and trust Him for that which we need. Yielding to Him on any different basis will simply amount to our trying to live for Him in the self-life. 10:38). A friend once handed me a copy of a book entitled The Green Letters, written by Miles J. Stanford. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. What do you do? To Him be the glory both now and forever. Whatever or wherever it is, there will be the death from which resurrection life follows. Principles of Reckoning 2 2. Theodore H. EppDirectorBack to the Bible Broadcast. The open secret of healthy spiritual growth is to know and settle upon this fact as set forth in Romans 8:28, 29. Bible study finally grinds to a halt; everything seems to add up to nothing. The PDF book is great for phones and the Ebooks are for Kindles and Nooks as well as tablets, laptops and desktops. D. Spiritual Growth is Produced According to the Will of God as Christians follow the Principles of Spiritual Growth – 6:3 1. “Not in babyhood are we able to continually abide in His presence, regardless of our surroundings and that which we are doing. SPIRITUAL GROWTH PROGRESS SURVEY As a Christian, each one of us is on a spiritual journey. And as we exercise faith in God’s fact, we begin to receive the benefits of that finished work in experience. Amen. If you do not have Adobe Reader already installed on your computer, you can download the installer and instructions free from the Adobe Web site. Appearances are not to be taken into account. It is a great blessing when a person gets into the seventh of Romans and begins to realize the awful conflict of its struggle and defeat; because the first step toward getting out of the struggle of the seventh chapter and into the victory of the eighth, is to get into the seventh. stream 2:20). The love motive from which to live the Christian life and serve the Lord is good; it is high, but it is not adequate—especially because it is not the motivation underwritten by Him. Conant). Right? It seems largely to go in one ear and out the other. For this reason: as soon as something strictly new is concerned, something that in its peculiarity has not yet existed, every new type of life, before it can multiply itself to a number of specimens, must first have its full contents combined in perfect unity, in an adequate new principle. This best-seller goes to the basics of the … Romans Seven Reckoning 16 8. The Green Letters: Principles of Spiritual Growth [Stanford, Miles J.] It is necessary to remember a fundamental principle in the spiritual life: that God only reveals spiritual truths to meet spiritual needs. First, the believer learns “Not I”; then, “but Christ.” First, “Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone”; then, “but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit” (John 12:24). Paul, with God’s “Not I, but Christ” (Gal. Our Lord Jesus understands this well, but there is no other way, since that is the manner in which He finished the work on our behalf. It will be worthless until there has been a battle over it. Many suppose that because they are conscious of sins, hence they must renew their acceptance with God. 2:20). Scofield said, “Not everyone, by any means, has had the experience of the seventh of Romans, that agony of conflict, of desire to do what we cannot do, of longing to do the right we find we cannot do. Once we begin to reckon (count) on facts, our Father begins to build us up in the faith. “Calvary is the secret of it all. And everyone knows that evidence must be founded on facts. 6:6; Gal. Our Heavenly Father is still carrying out His purpose of making man in His image. First, “alway delivered unto death”; then, “that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest” (II Cor. God has effected the reconciliation; He always remains true to it. Church Growth Principles — Embracing a New Paradigm. Yet you know that it is a language that can be learned. As our Lord takes us along through the years, it slowly dawns on us that there are vast, almost infinite, areas of development through which He must still lead us. As we pursue church health, we'll most likely experience church growth … 7:18). How wonderful and encouraging it is to know that our Heavenly Father has made it crystal clear in His Word exactly what His purpose is for each one of us. So it is invaluable to read and understand the biblical teachings regarding prayer. We have not to climb up; we are to be brought through in the train of His triumph. The channel is lost sight of in the abundance of the supply. This appropriation must be a case of clear, scriptural, specific trust. “For the joy that was set before him,” the Lord Jesus “endured the cross” (Heb. We learned not to add to a finished work in the matter of justification, and now we must learn not to add to the finished work of emancipation. Come to the Word for one purpose and that is to meet the Lord. THE REALIZATION OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH by Miles J. Stanford Edited into digital media in 1995 from a book not claiming copyright Redone in pdf form by DJA April 2005 CONTENTS 1. Let’s settle it once and for all—there are no shortcuts to reality! We should experience growth in our marriage, in our families, at our jobs, at our churches, in regards to our income, and our relationship with Christ. 2:5). In other words, scriptural words: “dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God” (Rom. Much of the mere begging type (though of course asking is always in order, for the Lord says, ‘Ask, and ye shall receive’ [John 16:24]) gives away to a positive and unspeakably joyous appropriation. “Stand therefore” (Eph. ‘All things,’ says the Apostle Paul, ‘are your’s. All is now centered in the Last Adam, our Lord Jesus. “Without a bitter experience of their own inadequacy and poverty they are quite unfitted to bear the burden of spiritual ministry. That thou givest them they gather: thou openest shine hand, they are filled with good” (Ps. If we are going to come truly into the hands of God for His purpose, then we shall be dealt with by Him in such a way as to continually increase our spiritual measure. Now it so happens that God’s basic ingredient for growth is need. By themselves they are an inadequate basis for a man’s lasting influence to God. ... Start your review of the principles of spiritual growth Of the Old Book, but one of the best (1st in the series) book dealing with how … The more you find Him in your sorrows or wants, the more you will be attached to Him and drawn away from this place where the sorrows are, to Him in the place where He is.” “Set your affection on things above” (Col. 3:2). . This entails Bible-based fact-finding, explicit faith in Him and His purpose for us in Christ and patient trust while He takes us through the necessary processing involved. We use our will to believe, to receive, but not to exert effort in trying to accomplish what only God can do. Paul wrote that he would “pray with my spirit—by the Holy Spirit that is within me; but I will also pray intelligently—with my mind and understanding” (I Cor. All of us started on this principle when we were born again—our belief stood directly on the eternal fact of the redeeming death and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, as recorded in I Corinthians 15:1-4. “Every bit of truth we receive, if we receive it livingly, will take us into conflict and will be established through conflict. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are to yield ourselves to God as those that are alive from the dead (v. 13). 2 Peter 3:18 NIV Not many people can say that on the day they were saved, someone explained the steps to spiritual growth… When there is a bit of life, it usually blossoms overnight into full bloom and soon becomes heavy with the fruit of “dynamic,” “radiant” personality coupled with busy, rushing service. 1 2 . ‘In our private prayers and in our public services,’ Dr. A. W. Tozer writes, “we are forever asking God to do things that He either has already done or cannot do because of our unbelief. Failure where self is concerned in our Christian life and service is allowed and often engineered by God in order to turn us completely from ourselves to His source for our life—Christ Jesus, who never fails. Here is the ultimatum, so now to the “how.”. “Until the soul comes to that point He does not give it peace—He could not; it would be healing the wound slightly. ~��-����J�Eu�*=�Q6�(�2�]ҜSz�����K��u7�z�L#f+��y�W$ �F����a���X6�ٸ�7~ˏ 4��F�k�o��M��W���(ů_?�)w�_�>�U�z�j���J�^�6��k2�R[�rX�T �%u�4r�����m��8���6^��1�����*�}���\����ź㏽�x��_E��E�������O�jN�����X�����{KCR �o4g�Z�}���WZ����p@��~��T�T�%}��P6^q��]���g�,��#�Yq|y�"4";4"'4"�g���X������k��h�����l_�l�n�T ��5�����]Qۼ7�9�`o���S_I}9㑈�+"��""cyĩЈ,��e�yl������)�d��Ta���^���{�z�ℤ �=bU��驾Ҹ��vKZߛ�X�=�JR��2Y~|y��#�K���]S�پ���à�f��*m��6�?0:b��LV�T �w�,J�������]'Z�N�v��GR�'u���a��O.�'uIX���W�R��;�?�6��%�v�]�g��������9��� �,(aC�Wn���>:ud*ST�Yj�3��ԟ��� “Is it, Reckon yourself to be weak in reference to sin? How varied these are! There are great days, days of decisive battles, days of crises in spiritual history, days of triumph in Christian service, days of the right hand of God upon us. Once in possession of a truth, we are to rest—He will produce. Many, especially those who are young in the Lord, have been victimized time and time again in this matter of surrender, or commitment. We do not need to make any special effort, only place ourselves under the conditions favorable to such growth.”, Only those who have sought to grow by effort and failed are in the position to appreciate the fact that God is the aggressor in the realm of development. 3:18). True spiritual reality comes in no other way, but, praise the Lord, it does come in this way! “Therefore let us go on and get past the elementary stage in the teachings and doctrine of Christ, the Messiah, advancing steadily toward the completeness and perfection that belongs to spiritual maturity. “physical growth” or “mental growth,” and “spiritual growth” should not be any less intelligible. A disciple whose goal is to become like Christ in every aspect of our life. Study . For most of us it has been a long season of growth from the tiny green blade up to the “full corn in the ear.” So many seek to settle for this stage: saved, with heaven assured—plus a pacifying measure of Christian respectability, at least in church circles. And only then do we find that we have learned the lesson of faith; to find our tiny craft of life rushing onward to a blessed victory of life and power and service undreamt of in the days of fleshly strength and self-reliance.”. Study by: Book Topic Author Verse Bible study tool In some single months there is more growth than in all the year besides. Are you an author? 10:18). ‘Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him’ (Rom. Reginald Wallis: “God says in effect, ‘My child, as you reckoned on the substitutionary work of the Lord Jesus Christ for your salvation, now go a step farther and reckon on His representative work for your victory day by day.’ You believe the Lord Jesus died for your sins because God said so. 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