How well can we all remember our vegetable garden if we ever planted one! Each day we would lovingly water the tender plants and carefully check their growth. We would also find it exciting to watch them increase in height and fullness every few days and to know they were happily flourishing. Planting a garden is similar to allowing us to think about spiritual growth. Is there a way to measure our progress in an area of life that can be defied by accurate measurement? Although we cannot measure our spiritual growth physically, we need to know that if we were moving ahead, or slipping back, in our walk with the Lord, it would become evident in our lives. Christians praying for others to get salvation is important for every church. 

SALVATION

“Salvation is the first step in trusting the Lord. It all starts with repentance, which is the heartfelt conviction that you are a sinner. Sin is the separation between you and God. Adam started it all. But Jesus, who knew no sin, took on that sin to pay the debt for all of us with His death on the cross.

Romans 5:12 “Therefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;.”

“At the point of salvation, you turn away from your sins to live a life that honors God. Because in salvation, you’ve humbled yourself to the point where you realize you’re not in control. God is in charge, and without accepting the free gift of salvation, you are doomed to an eternal life separated from God and living in an everlasting lake of fire. John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

1. Do I have an increasing desire and determination to know God and His Word? 

 When we find ourselves longing fervently for a closer relationship with God, and we determine to develop our relationship through powerful prayer and study of His Word, we know that we are progressing spiritually. 

2. Do I find it easier to forgive?  

Jesus said, “Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven” (Luke 6:37). We know that we are growing spiritually when it becomes easier to forgive. This includes forgiving not only those who have offended us but forgiving ourselves as well. 

3. Do we have control of our Tongue? 

          Words are powerful, and the growing believer must come to the point where they understand that they need God’s help in all areas of life, including what they say to others. In James 3:2, words offend people quickly; in order to not offend, we must spiritually grow, And Christian’s constant praying gives control of the Tongue, which means we will take time to consider what we say and how, and what attitude we say it. Even in an angry discussion, we must carefully pick our words since our words can adversely affect our testimony.” 

4. Do I Love Others? 

According to Paul, as he writes in Colossians 3:14, above all of the characteristics that a believer should show, it is charity or love. Paul had written to us in this verse that love is the bond or the glue holding everything together that reveals the growing Christian. We may say that we love others, but how many of us would suffer for a stranger or even someone of another faith. Remember, Jesus died for the sins of all mankind, and when He died, there was no assurance that anyone would believe in Him. As we would say, Jesus died unconditionally for the sins of the world, and we must come to truly love others and have fellowship with everyone. No matter what nationality, religion, or color they may be. Love makes everything else come together, and you become the total package that God needs to reach others with the gospel.” When we notice an increase in our love for other people, we know we are growing spiritually. Increased love manifests itself in actions. Are we more patient? Do we readily respond with kindness instead of anger? Do we criticize less? How can we say we love God if we don’t love our fellow man (1 John 4:20). 

5. Do I have a heightened desire for the spiritual welfare of others?                                                 

          We grow spiritually when our heart’s cry is to lead others to Christ and the fullness of the abundant life, no matter the cost. Jesus said, “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). We are increasing in spiritual maturity when we are ready to follow the Lord’s leading for each person we meet in people’s church, knowing that at times we plant, at times we water, and at times we reap. Ridicule and persecution cause us to rejoice because we share Christ’s suffering. 

6. Do I have a greater willingness to obey God in all things? 

             We grow spiritually when obedience to God becomes a joy instead of a duty. As Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Luke 11: 27-28). When we pray short prayers for everything. When our response to God’s call becomes “Not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42), we know we are making spiritual progress. 

7. Do I show Compassion for others? 

           Notice that Jesus tells the man in our text that if he wants to be perfect or spiritually mature, he needs to give up those things stopping him from growing, give to the poor or the needy, and follow after Him. Jesus is telling us that spiritual growth is often based upon our ability to relinquish whatever is holding us back, unselfishly give to others, follow Jesus, and then we will be on the road to spiritual growth. When we show Compassion to others, we pray an encouraging prayer which proves our Compassion towards everyone. Compassion always encourages people to live a life. 

8. Do I have a growing faith?  

            The Word of God tells us that “the just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17). When we find it increasingly easier to stand on God’s Word, especially in difficult circumstances, we grow spiritually. When we grow more spiritually, we pray for many prayer requests in faith because faith prayer shows results for every prayer request that we pray. The Bible becomes our final authority, and we can trust God to work in our lives. Whereas we once focused on the problem, we now focus on the solution found in the Word.

9. Do I have a stronger desire to separate myself from the things of this world? 

             Spiritual growth involves a process of separation. God said, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate” (II Corinthians 6:17). Although for now, we must live in and influence the world, it must have no grip on us. As we grow spiritually, our desire for the things of this world will decrease while our passion for the things of God will increase. Attending Christian events will separate us from every world event. 

Do you see any of these signs of spiritual growth in you? The Ark connect lets you bring out these types of spiritual growth from you. You can share any incident from your life that indicates the sign of your growth. Even we can compare our growth with people that have gone through many problems and hindrances. Your spiritual growth will be safe in the hands of the Ark Connect.