Galatians 3:1-18; Jeremiah 51-52; Psalm 144

“This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?” (Galatians 3:2-3 NKJV) 

These verses hit home every time I read them. I’m becoming more and more interested in the process of spiritual growth. I recommend some activities to help you along the process, including reading these devotionals, but none of these activities can take the place of depending on God’s Spirit throughout life. I didn’t come to know Jesus by reading the Bible, by going to church, by doing good works, or any other thing I did, even though I did many of those things before I came to Christ. God’s Spirit worked on me until I realized that I needed to enter into a relationship with Him. It took me a long time to hear His call with a heart of faith. Growth in Christ happened the same way for me. I may have done and still do a lot of the things I mentioned above, but I only grow in my relationship with God through the working of His Spirit in my life. 

Today, especially, I’m thankful for God’s great gift of salvation that He brought to us through the death of Jesus on the cross. All that I am, all that I have, all that I do, is grounded in my belief that Jesus paid the penalty for my sins on the cross and that He continues to work in me to make me grow in Him. Some day, I will be perfect in Him, but while I live on this earth, I will continue to seek growth in the power of His Spirit.

Lord, Thank You for Jesus and His death on the cross that brought me Your great gift of salvation. Continue to work in me to make me grow closer to You. You’ve blessed me beyond measure; let me be a blessing to others out of the overflowing goodness of Your grace.