The person who claims to be a child of God but whose character and conduct give no evidence of spiritual growth is deceiving himself and heading for judgment. He will not always be on the mountaintop, but he will always be climbing higher. The Greeks used this phrase to describe the welcome given Olympic winners when they returned home. Every believer will arrive in heaven, but some will have a more glorious welcome than others. The Christian life begins with faith, but that faith must lead to spiritual growth unless it is dead faith.
Faith leads to growth and growth leads to practical results in life and service.