Each of us is a work in progress — not the people we used to be, but becoming the better version we some day hope to be. Along the way, we honestly evaluate our spiritual growth as we try new ways to improve, test our progress, and tweak (or make minor) adjustments. It’s easy become a bit frustrated with the pace of our transformation in becoming more like Jesus.
Whatever the domain of expertise, we understand that it takes months and even years of training to lead to proficiency. A concert pianist doesn’t just walk on to the stage and seamlessly play a perfect composition. Neither does a star athlete begin their journey to success at the Olympic games. Every climb to the top of a ladder begins with the bottom rung. With vision, each one perseveres through obstacles and learns necessary life lessons to follow their dreams.
Yet, in our Christian walk, we often approach spiritual progress with ease or indifference. What if we fervently set our hearts to reach our highest spiritual potential in Christ with single-minded focus? What if we pursued Christ with the same passion which we pursue other objects of our affection? How much greater might our spiritual progress be?
“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.“
2 Peter 1:5-8
As an emerging artist, I dedicate time and invest financially to develop artistic ability. I try new techniques, test different materials, and tweak for better results. Sometimes people express amazement at the quantity and quality of my work. I wish the same could be said about my spiritual progress. But what if I pursued spiritual transformation with the same passion and diligence?
The Goal
As an artist, I recognize my limitations, while working to become better, learning from others, and receiving critique. Those far more skilled become incentive and encouragement, helping me achieve more.
Our highest goal belongs not to things of this world, but rather to be like Jesus.
“For he knew all about us before we were born and he destined us from the beginning to share the likeness of his Son. This means the Son is the oldest among a vast family of brothers and sisters who will become just like him.”
Romans 8:29 TPT
Resource images help any artist present a more precise image on canvas — patterning shapes, colors, and strokes. In the same way, the Bible presents the best reference image of Jesus. Through studying and reading the Word of God, we become increasingly familiar with His ways and His heart. The more we know Him, the more we desire to imitate Him.
Nobody perfectly reflects Jesus. We are all a work in progress, trying our best, testing our improvements, and tweaking our methods of growth. Any discouragement we might feel usually comes from an unclear image of who Jesus really is. Some day … one day … we will know Him clearly. For now, we faintly seek Him through His Word and revelation of the Holy Spirit
“Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.”
1 John 3:2
Try, Test, and Tweak
“If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed.”
Proverbs 29:18 MSG
Sometimes, vision concerning natural things comes easier than spiritual vision. The Bible offers a plumb line and reminders to assist us. As we add prayer to the process, God reveals areas where we have made progress as well as those where improvements are attainable through Him.
In the book of Revelation, chapters two and three, Jesus speaks to seven churches. He commends them for things they have done well. Then, He challenges them in areas where they have fallen into negative patterns or have been distracted by other influences. Finally, He promises a reward them for faithfully seeking and following Him.
Through the Holy Spirit, He continues to do the same for us. He never gives up on us no matter how slow our journey. He reveals new processes fro growth, giving us wisdom to tweak and adjust our spiritual walk to reach our potential in Him.
So, let’s not become discouraged along the way. He plays a huge role in our becoming, so that we will all expereince more fruit of the Spirit naturally flowing from our lives.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23
Progress
May we daily find joy in the journey while aiming not for the destination but becoming more like Jesus.
As someone who is running the final legs of my race, I remind myself that today is a moment of transformational change. Who says I can put it off until tomorrow? Who says I will be given another opportunity?
Four proven tools help to propel our spiritual progress:
- Discipleship through books, courses, and in-person training
- Accountability partnerships
- Wise counsel and inner healing to bravely move us beyond hidden hurdles
- Consistently journalling what God is showing and speaking to us
God stands with us and for us. He faithfully plants us in families and communities of believers where we can grow and help others to grow as well. He cheers us on, celebrating our successes — large and small.
“… being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 1:6
Be assured, He will do it — not apart from us, but with us! How encouraging!
We can do it, my friend! May we all finish well!
Scripture Prayers
So, Lord, we don’t lose a minute in building on what we’ve been given, complementing our basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in our lives, no grass will grow under our feet, no day will pass without its reward as we mature in our experience of our Master Jesus (2 Peter 1:5-8).
Lord, may there be no prolonged infancies among us. We’ll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are easy prey for predators. You want us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from You, Jesus, who is the source of everything we do. Keep us in step with each other. Your very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in You, robust in love (Ephesians 4:15-16).
Father, You have handed out gifts … to train us in skilled servant work, working within … the church, until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ (Ephesians 4:12-13).
Oh, the joys we experience when we do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. Oh, Lord, may we delight in Your Word, meditating on it day and night. May we be like trees planted along the riverbank, maturing and bearing fruit each season. Our leaves never wither, and we prosper in all they do — fruitful works in progress, progressing in faith (Psalm 1:1-3).
**********