Embracing Flexibility in Spiritual Growth and Development
Embracing Flexibility in Spiritual Growth and Development
Spiritual growth and development are gradual processes that involve the cultivation of various virtues and graces. According to John Gill, growth in grace is a characteristic of the Christian life, where believers are encouraged to "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" [4]. This growth is not limited to a specific stage or age but is a lifelong journey.
The biblical account of Jesus' life provides an example of spiritual growth and development. Luke 2:40 notes that "the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him" [1]. This verse highlights the importance of mental, physical, and spiritual development in Jesus' life. As Jesus grew, he demonstrated a deepening relationship with God and an increasing awareness of his mission.
The process of spiritual growth involves experiencing trials and tribulations, which can foster patience, experience, and hope. John Gill comments on Romans 5:4, noting that "tribulations tend to exercise and increase patience, so patience being exercised and increased, enlarges the saints' stock and fund of experience" [2]. This experience, in turn, strengthens hope, which is a gift of God's grace.
The concept of spiritual growth is also linked to the idea of embracing flexibility. In Nehemiah 8:10, the Israelites are encouraged to "eat the fat and drink sweet wine" and to "send portions to those who have nothing prepared" [3]. Adam Clarke interprets this as a call to rejoice in the Lord and to share one's blessings with others, noting that "the joy of the Lord is your strength" [3]. This joy is not a superficial or fleeting experience but is rooted in a deepening relationship with God.
The yoke of subjection to Jesus is another aspect of spiritual growth, as seen in Matthew 11:29, where Jesus invites his followers to "take my yoke upon you and learn from me" [5]. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown comment that this yoke is one of subjection to Jesus, and that by following him, believers can experience rest for their souls.
The experience of spiritual growth and development is not limited to times of prosperity but can also occur in times of adversity. John Gill notes that even in times of outward prosperity, believers can experience inward and spiritual prosperity, characterized by a growing appetite for the word, lively exercise of grace, and communion with God [6]. Conversely, times of adversity can also be opportunities for growth, as seen in Job's experience, where Elihu notes that had Job hearkened to God's voice in his afflictions, he would have been removed "out of the strait into a broad place" [7].
The use of spiritual gifts is another important aspect of spiritual growth and development. The Tyndale House commentary on 1 Peter 4:10 notes that believers are entrusted with various gifts, which they are to use to glorify God [8]. This use of gifts is a key aspect of spiritual growth, as it enables believers to serve others and to deepen their relationship with God.
Sources
- Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 2:40: His mental development kept pace with His bodily, and "the grace of God," the divine favor, rested manifestly and increasingly upon Him. See Luk 2:52.”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 5:4: And patience experience,.... As tribulations tend to exercise and increase patience, so patience being exercised and increased, enlarges the saints' stock and fund of experience; of the love and grace of God communicated to them at such seasons; of his faithfulness in fulfilling his promises; of his power in supporting them; and of their own frailty and weakness; and so are taught humility, thankfulness, and resignation to the will of God: and experience, hope; hope is a gift of God's grace, and is implanted in regeneration, but abounds, increases, and becomes more s”
- Nehemiah (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Nehemiah 8:10: Eat the fat, and drink the sweet - Eat and drink the best that you have; and while ye are feeding yourselves in the fear of the Lord, remember those who cannot feast; and send portions to them, that the joy and the thanksgiving may be general. Let the poor have reason to rejoice as well as you. For the joy of the Lord is your strength - This is no gluttonous and drunken festival that enervates the body, and enfeebles the mind: from your religious feast your bodies will acquire strength and your minds power and fervor, so that you shall be able to Do His will, and ”
- 2 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Peter 3:18: But grow in grace,.... In the gifts of grace, which, under a divine blessing, may be increased by using them: gifts neglected decrease, but stirred up and used, are improved and increase. And though men are to be thankful for their gifts, and be contented with them, yet they may lawfully desire more, and in the use of means seek an increase of them, which may be a means of preserving themselves, and others, from the error of the wicked. Moreover, by "grace" may be meant internal grace. The work of grace is gradual; it is like a grain of mustard seed, or like seed cas”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 11:29: Take my yoke upon you--the yoke of subjection to Jesus. and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls--As Christ's willingness to empty Himself to the uttermost of His Father's requirements was the spring of ineffable repose to His own Spirit, so in the same track does He invite all to follow Him, with the assurance of the same experience.”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 30:6: And in my prosperity,.... Either outward prosperity, when he was settled in his kingdom, and as acknowledged king by all the tribes of Israel, and had gotten the victory over all his enemies, and was at rest from them round about; or inward and spiritual prosperity, having a spiritual appetite for the word, being in the lively exercise of grace, growing in it, and in the knowledge of Christ; favoured with communion with God, having flesh discoveries of pardoning grace and mercy, corruptions being subdued, the inward man renewed with spiritual strength, and more fruitf”
- Job (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Job 36:16: Even so,.... Here Elihu accommodates what he had said to the case of Job; that had he hearkened and been obedient to the voice of God in his rod, and had submitted to his chastening hand, and patiently bore his afflictions; he, God, would have removed thee out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no straitness: that is, out of the strait circumstances in which he was, into liberty; would have brought him into a large place, where he might walk at liberty, as David experienced, Psa 4:1; and may be understood both in a temporal and spiritual sense. In a te”
- 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 4:10: 4:10 his great variety of spiritual gifts: See Rom 12:6-8; 1 Cor 12:1-31; Eph 4:7-16. • Use (literally manage) them well: Believers are like managers: They have been entrusted by God, their Master, with gifts to be used to glorify him.”