How Does a Christian Grow Spiritually?

The topic of spiritual growth (theologians refer to this as the doctrine of sanctification) is of immeasurable importance to every believer and especially for those involved in disciple-making.

Why is This so Important?

If a believer does not understand God’s plan for spiritual growth, he (or she) will be drawn naturally to counterfeit means of spiritual development. He will not mature in Christ, not fulfill ultimate God’s plan for his life, not be used of God to the degree God desires, and not receive his full eternal reward as the Lord’s servant. If a spiritual leader does not understand God’s plan for spiritual growth, he and those he leads will likely become spiritually frustrated as a result of his confusion.

God’s Will for Your Life

Some believers don't think they can become spiritually mature in Christ. Others are confused about the means and the method of spiritual growth. The Bible teaches that it is God’s will for every believer, including you, to become spiritually mature in Christ. The Bible teaches, "till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect (mature) man" (Eph. 4:13). So the question is not, "Does God want me to become a mature believer?" but, "What is God’s plan for me in this area and how can I respond to it?"

Understanding the "Three Aspects" of Sanctification

Much of the confusion regarding God’s plan for spiritual growth can be eliminated when we understand the three aspects of sanctification. The Greek word for sanctify (hagios) means "to set apart." When it refers to spiritual growth, it refers to the setting apart of an individual for God and His service.

1.	Positional Sanctification - This is the one-time, permanent work of God. God sets apart the individual at the time of salvation through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit (cf. Titus 3:5). The apostle Paul wrote these words to the Corinthian church, "to those who have been sanctified" (Note: the Greek perfect tense signifies a completed action continuing into the present). When the apostle Paul said the Corinthians were sanctified, he was referring to their permanent legal standing before God, not their level of spiritual maturity at that time.
2.	Progressive Sanctification - While believers receive positional sanctification at the time of salvation, they are progressively sanctified throughout their lives. God is so concerned that believers understand this process that He provides a detailed explanation of the process and provides a detailed list of the three stages of spiritual development, including the individual characteristics of each (see the next Disciple-Maker for an explanation of these three stages). God’s Word also tells us how believers can grow spiritually to become spiritually mature and why some believers go backwards in their spiritual development.
3.	Permanent (eternal) Sanctification - This is also called glorification. Permanent Sanctification is the instantaneous transformation that happens in the life of a believer when he finally comes into the presence of Jesus Christ ("We know, that when we shall see Him we shall be like Him..." cf., 1 Jn. 3:2).