I will save myself a great deal of disappointment in my discipleship if I learn the secret of Christian growth. The secret lies in the word maturing. All natural, organic growth follows that pattern; so also does spiritual growth. Not even salvation is instantaneous, except the pinpoint moment of decision. But before that electric moment comes, a chunk of time has elapsed, preparing me for the reception of the new life.
If the preparation is long and sometimes tedious, it goes without saying that the fruits of salvation are also long awaited. That is because the new life operates within me on a time schedule, like a growing child. When the organism is ready, the child will walk and talk, not before. So it is with the newborn child of God. Assuming that I surround myself with the proper means of growth, I should then expect the new life within me to develop toward the image of Christ, not in one sudden burst, but in a series of maturity stages.
Much of the emphasis I have heard on Christian growth is on “crisis.” I am to “make a decision” and then instantly manifest maturity. Wrong! That leads to frustration.
When Jesus said to Simon, “Thou shalt be … Cephas” (John 1:42, KJV), He was looking a long way down the road. So it is with me. Accepting Christ puts the package inside me, but walking with Christ allows the life to unfold within me, bringing about the changes God wants for me.
How glorious to have God as our Gardener! “A vineyard of delight… I, the Lord, am its keeper; I water it every moment” (Isaiah 27:2–3, margin). Then we “take root … blossom and sprout; and they will fill the whole world with fruit” (v. 6).
“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, that we might bear fruit for God” (Romans 7:4).
Daily with the King 