Growing up spiritually is a matter of feeding this new nature, that it may become strong and virile. The frustration comes when a Christian struggles to discipline and control the old nature, trying to make it something it can never become. Much so-called Christian growth is nothing more than the development and refinement of native virtues dusting off and polishing up the old nature. This may occasionally produce some pretty good imitations, but it's a far cry from the real thing. Christian maturity is effortless on the part of the Christian.
Apples come because the life of the apple is in the tree.
The effort in the Christian life comes at the point of feeding the new nature on the Word of God nourishing it by prayer, fellowship and service. The discipline is at the point of submission to the rule of God in the heart yielding to His will renouncing one's own way. When a person lets God have His way in his life, the beauty of God's character will be manifest in them. All material on this site, unless otherwise noted, is copyright Richard C. Halverson. All rights reserved.