“I’m pressing on the upward way. New heights I’m gaining every day“. Really? I hope so, but some aren’t. While just about everyone has heard that old song, many are at a standstill or going backward and downward. Rather than ascending they are descending, and that spells trouble!
I’ve often said, the best definition of backsliding is when a person ceases to “grow in grace, and the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18). You might know more, do more, give more, and be better than anyone else in the church, but when you stop growing you are backsliden. Regardless of how well you stack up against others. Man is not the model for your life. Christ is our example and we should always be increasing in His likeness. None of us ever reach a place where it is okay to plateau. Since none of us measure up to the stature of Christ there is always room for all of us to grow.
We could spend hours talking about the cause and consequences of backsliding, but for now I just want you to focus on whether you are or are not growing in the Lord. If the answer is “no” please realize that there are no excuses. If your growth has stopped, rather than give up, you need to get up, get going and get growing. Growth affects every area of your life– your joy, peace, ability to love, strength to resist temptation, power to endure trials, and effectiveness to minister to others. We neglect it to our own peril. While God alone can enable us to grow it isn’t automatic. We must make use of the means God has given for it to happen. Because Christ gives us spiritual life we have the potential to grow, but to make it possible we must feed upon His Word, pray, and obey His precepts. So–let’s get growing!
