But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light that shines more and more until the perfect day.
–Proverbs 4:18

Jesus took His disciples through four different phases of spiritual growth. He taught them to do the same with those they brought to Christ. These phases of growth still apply today and will continue until Jesus comes.

1. Come and see who Jesus is. Discover what the Bible says about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. See what they have to offer and why it should matter to you.

2. Believe in Me. Believe the words of the Bible. Believe in God and Jesus. The purpose of existence is to honor God and obey Him fully (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

3. Be with Me. Repent (turn away from deliberate sin) and confess your sins. Acknowledge that you need a Savior. Bury your former self in baptism to receive forgiveness and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). Develop an intimate fellowship with Jesus by deliberately striving to live faithfully, obeying all of God’s commands.

4. Remain in Me. Stay faithful and obedient. Know and rely on God’s constant presence. This phase doesn’t guarantee an absence of grief, pain, turmoil, fear, or even a few doubts now and then. In those times, however, the spiritually mature know that because Jesus lives, they can be confident that God will take care of them.

Prayer

Dear God, Help me see, believe, be, and remain with You. I want to grow and mature to be the person who stays faithful to You always and forever. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Reflection

Beginning this week, what will I do to grow more spiritually mature?