We become weak when we don't drink, eat and rest. Growth happens when we receive and rest. So, "...Let anyone who hears, say, 'Come!' Let the one who is thirsty come (Rev 22:17). Let the one who desires take the water of life freely" says Christ and His bride.
This morning a friend from my Catechism Review course asked me a very good question: "How do you grow, spiritually?"
I love the question and I love the word that the Bible uses to describe the process by which we become more mature and increase: "Grow". Peter says, "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..."
The concept of growth is a mysterious thing, but at the same time, a natural one. When we're growing we don't necessarily notice it. Humans don't notice when they're growing physically besides possibly experiencing a little discomfort. They don't do things to make themselves grow, they just do, organically.
Listen to how St. Paul describes the cause of our growth as believers: "11 And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. 14 Then we will no longer be little children..." (Ephesians 4).
The Lord has provided us the means of grace (see Heidelberg Catechism Lord's Day 26 (http://www.heidelberg-catechism.com/lang/lords-days/26.html) by which we grow and develop. Pastors and teachers are quite literally God's gifts to His body to provide us with those means, primarily the Word (the Gospel we hear) and also, the sacraments which are visible, tangible representations of the Gospel: The Bread of Life that nourishes you, the Water that washes you, the Wine which satisfies you.
I love the question and I love the word that the Bible uses to describe the process by which we become more mature and increase: "Grow". Peter says, "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..."
The concept of growth is a mysterious thing, but at the same time, a natural one. When we're growing we don't necessarily notice it. Humans don't notice when they're growing physically besides possibly experiencing a little discomfort. They don't do things to make themselves grow, they just do, organically.
Listen to how St. Paul describes the cause of our growth as believers: "11 And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. 14 Then we will no longer be little children..." (Ephesians 4).
The Lord has provided us the means of grace (see Heidelberg Catechism Lord's Day 26 (http://www.heidelberg-catechism.com/lang/lords-days/26.html) by which we grow and develop. Pastors and teachers are quite literally God's gifts to His body to provide us with those means, primarily the Word (the Gospel we hear) and also, the sacraments which are visible, tangible representations of the Gospel: The Bread of Life that nourishes you, the Water that washes you, the Wine which satisfies you.
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