Proper Christian Growth

“We have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding” (Col. 1:9).

- Colossians 1:9-10

Paul’s prayers for the believers in Colossae reflect his true feelings about them and provide us with instruction. We saw yesterday how his gratitude for the Colossians’ faith implies that they received a full revelation of Christ through the work of Epaphras and should not look for a “higher” religion (Col. 1:3–8). Verses 9–10 advance the point, encouraging them to continue in what they had learned and not to pursue the false “spiritual vitality” allegedly found among the heretics.

We are ever tempted to pursue dazzling displays of “spiritual vitality” and quick growth that are supposedly available through that one insight or method heretofore overlooked. A great many books and teachers today promise speedy advancements in power and holiness, whether it be through the exact repetition of the same prayer every day, the “name it and claim it” of the health-and-wealth gospel, or the promise of immediate victory over the Devil through a post-conversion baptism of the Spirit. Far less is actually achieved in the lives of most who embrace such teachings, as any honest survey of such things reveals. Yet emphases on secret or obscure methodologies for spiritual growth have actually been a problem in the church for ages. Back in first-century Colossae, false teachers promised quick paths to spiritual maturity through diet plans, ascetic practices, holy days, and more (2:16–23).

The apostle’s answer is not to deny spiritual growth and progress altogether, but to ground it in the faithful, simple pursuit of what has been presented clearly to all in the gospel. Paul’s prayer inColossians 1:9–10 has many parallels with 1:3–6, indicating that growth comes through diligent continuance in what God has revealed to the whole church, not in chasing after the latest fad. He asks the Lord to help the Colossians walk in a fruitful manner (v. 10), just as the simple gospel of Paul and Epaphras bears fruit in the whole world (v. 6). Paul also prays for increasing knowledge of the Lord’s will — a deeper understanding of the truth that is accessible to all in the gospel message and that strengthens the faith of those who believe it (vv. 4, 9). That Paul prays for such things — things people already had in the preaching of the truth — shows that believers are brought into the kingdom and made mature in the same way, namely, in studying and hearing the Word of God that has been revealed to all His people.

Coram Deo

It is all too easy for us to think that once we know the basics of the gospel we must then move beyond them for true spiritual growth. Yet it is not extrabiblical revelations and methods that mature us, nor is it the search for esoteric meanings and codes in Scripture. Instead, it is the continual attempt to plumb the depths of the gospel message and its application to all of life, which is, in fact, the story of the Bible.

Passages for Further Study

Psalm 1
Proverbs 3:1–12
Luke 10:38–42
1 Peter 2:1–3

From the Ligoner Website

Day 346

(D) Book of Hebrews ~ cont.
3. Walk and worship of the Christian - Hebrews 12:1-29; 13:1-25
(E) Book of 2 Peter
1. Characteristics of our faith - 2 Peter 1:1-21
2. Signs of the coming apostasy - 2 Peter 2:1-22

Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.  (Hebrews 12:4)

resisted - G478 - From G473 and G2525; to set down (troops) against, that is, withstand.

striving - G464 - From G473 and G75; to struggle against (figuratively), (“antagonize”).

sin - G266 - From G264; sin (properly abstract).

O how wicked this flesh is - wanting to have its way - have we yet striven to blood to resist the lure and enticement that the mortal body craves?  Nay.  Not one drop of blood has been shed either by wound or sweat.  Sometimes it is a terrible battle daily to deny this flesh its wants, wills and desires.


1Jn 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

O Lord, give us the ability to stand to Your command, to not be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.  Help us Lord to desire to spend time with you daily.  Help us to not give into the temptation, but to remember that You always give a way of escape.

And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou are rebuked of him: for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  (Hebrews 12:5-6)

forgotten - G1585 - Middle voice from G1537 and G2990; to be utterly oblivious of.

exhortation - G3874 - From G3870; imploration, hortation, solace.

despise - G3643 - From a compound of G3641 and ὤρα ōra (“care”); to have little regard for, that is, to disesteem.

chastening - G3809 - From G3811; tutorage, that is, education or training; by implication disciplinary correction.

faint - G1590 - From G1537 and G3089; to relax (literally or figuratively).

rebuked - G1651 - Of uncertain affinity; to confute, admonish.

loveth - G25 - Perhaps from ἄγαν agan (much; or compare [H5689]); to love (in a social or moral sense).

chasteneth - G3811 - From G3816; to train up a child, that is, educate, or (by implication) discipline (by punishment).

scourgeth - G3146 - From G3148; to flog (literally or figuratively).

receiveth - G3858 - From G3844 and G1209; to accept near, that is, admit or (by implication) delight in.

Scourgeth = flog.  That is quite a graphic word.  Flog - in my initial understanding, flail, reminds me of what they did to Christ Jesus.  Paul was also flogged.

Though we may endure the correction of Father, we take heart in this:

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.  (Hebrews 12:11)

Day 345

(D) Book of Hebrews ~ cont.
2. Way of faith better than way of law
a. New Covenant superior - Hebrews 8:6-13; 9:1-28; 10:1-18
b. True worship - Hebrews 10:19-25
c. Rejection of Christ is fatal - Hebrews 10:26-39
d. Superiority of faith - Hebrews 11:1-40

For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities I will remember no more.  (Hebrews 8:12)

Remember versus forget.  Hmmm.  Word search on forget - translated as such 54x in 51 verses.  Evenly divided between Hebrew and Greek with 4 of each.

H4519 - From H5382; causing to forget; Menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descendant from him, and its territory.

H5382 - A primitive root; to forget; figuratively, to neglect; causatively, to remit, remove.

H7911 - A primitive root; to mislay, that is, to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention.

H7913 - From H7911; oblivious: - forget.

G1585 - Middle voice from G1537 and G2990; to be utterly oblivious of: - forget.

G1950 - Middle voice from G1909 and G2990; to lose out of mind; by implication to neglect: - (be) forget (-ful of).

G2983 - A prolonged form of a primary verb, which is used only as an alternate in certain tenses; to take (in very many applications, literally and figuratively [probably objective or active, to get hold of; whereas G1209 is rather subjective or passive, to have offered to one; while G138 is more violent, to seize or remove]).

G3024 - From G2990; forgetfulness: - + forget.

This is the only verse I found (thus far) which would seem to indicate God forgetting:

Jer 23:39  Therefore, behold, I, even I, will utterly forget you, and I will forsake you, and the city that I gave you and your fathers, and cast you out of my presence:

Forget (5382) double reference to 5382 (which is to remove). This is not a forget, like oops, I ceased to remember something.  God can not forget - that would deny His very being.  The essence of His character is omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, HE is all, He can not forget.  He can choose to not remember, which is mentioned in the verse I used at the beginning.  When forgiving someone, we may remember the offense, but can make a conscious choice to not remember.

2Co 10:5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Remember - Used 148x in 144 verses - that is a bit much for me to read through right now.  Think I will focus on the word used in the Hebrew passage above.  :-)  Interestingly when I searched the E-Sword dictionary, the word remember has 8 entries as well.  Two for the Hebrew and 6 for the Greek (another study for a future date).

G3415 - Middle voice of a derivative of G3306 or perhaps of the base of G3145 (through the idea of fixture in the mind or of mental grasp); to bear in mind, that is, recollect; by implication to reward or punish: - be mindful, remember, come (have) in remembrance. Compare G3403.

Father, help us to remember Your word, to mediate upon it and hide it within our hearts.  Help us Lord, to seek after knowing and internalizing Your Word that we may have an abundant flow of life giving words and wisdom to guide us as we trod this narrow path and to encourage our fellow travelers.


Isa 26:3  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Day 331

O. Book of Romans (from Corinth)
1. Universal sin and its answer; justification by faith, none are righteous
a. Universal need - Romans 1:1-32; 2:1-29; 3:1-20
b. Justification by faith - Romans 3:21-31
c. Illustration from history - Romans 4:1-25


For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned n their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.  (Romans 1:26-27)


This passage reminds me of a sermon I read by John MacArthur, When God Abandons a Nation.  Our nation is in dire need of prayer and seeking Father's divine intervention in causing repentance.  Otherwise we stand in great need of HIS judgment for our wickedness.


Filled with?  Unrighteousness ~ fornication ~ wickedness ~ covetousness ~ maliciousness ~ full of envy ~ murder ~ debate ~ deceit ~ malignity ~ whisperers ~ backbiters ~ haters of God ~ despiteful ~ proud ~ boasters ~ inventors of evil ~ disobedient to parents ~ w/out understanding ~ covenant breakers ~ w/out natural affection ~ implacable ~ unmerciful.


Hmmm, most of these words are readily understood, but a few caught my eye.


debate - G2054 - Of uncertain affinity; a quarrel, that is, (by implication) wrangling.


implacable - G786 - From G1 (as a negative particle) and a derivative of G4689; literally without libation (which usually accompanied a treaty), that is, (by implication) truceless.


My heart continues to cry out, not only for the Bride, but for this nation to which I have providentially been placed.  Lord, we deserve none of Your loving kindness, mercy or forgiveness.  Only by Your sovereign hand can the eyes and ears of those who are blind and deaf be opened to see and hear the width and breadth and depth of our depravity.  Lord, not for the sake of the people of this nation, but solely to glorify Your name, bring repentance upon these shores.


For the name of God is blasphemed (to speak impiously) among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.  (Romans 2:24)


Quoting Matthew Henry:  "It is a lamentation that those who were made to be to God for a name and for a praise should be to him a shame and dishonour."


I can see a lot within the Bride of Christ that would bring shame and dishonor to God's name.  As I ponder upon that thought, the inward trembling question comes to mind:  What in my life causes Him shame and dishonor?  Lord, search us, Your people, cleanse us and make us fit for thy service.  Give us eyes to see and ears to hear how we ought to conduct ourselves as we walk through this dry and weary land.  Help us to not be ensnared with the trivial and trinkets this world tries to lure us with, but to be focused upon giving a proper estimate of You.

Day 318

XVII The Ministries of Paul and Peter ~ cont.

B. Book of James (brother of Jesus) ~ cont.

3. Evils that cripple true faith - James 4:1-17; 5:1-20
C. Other event preceding missionary journeys
1. Peter imprisoned and delivered - Acts 12:3-19
2. Death of Herod - Acts 12:20-23
D. Paul's first missionary journey (with Barnabas)
1. Cyprus to Perga where Mark leaves - Acts 12:24-25; 13:1-13


Peter, in prison, again!  If my count is correct, this would be his third trip - he's managed (by God's provision) to get out each time.


I sometimes marvel at the industriousness of those who oppose the gospel and against those who proclaim it.  After being thwarted time and again, one would think that the enemy would disengage.  Or is he truly being thwarted?  Have we (or are we) as the Bride of Christ, really giving any true resistance?  Or are we simply 'playing' at being the church?  How much do we really care to sacrifice for the sake of the gospel?


Who much different from the world does the Bride of Christ look?  Can anyone tell a difference?


Herod imprisons Peter - And when he (Herod) had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Passover to bring him forth to the people.  (Acts 12:4)


apprehended - G4048 - Probably another form of G971; to squeeze, that is, seize (gently by the hand [press], or officially [arrest], or in hunting [capture]).


quaternions - G5069 - Neuter of a presumed derivative of τέτρας tetras (a tetrad; from G5064); a quaternion or squad (picket) of four Roman soldiers.


Soooo (perplexedly computing) - a quaternion is 4 soldiers and 4 of this set = 16 soldiers.  Quite a few fellows.  Ahhh...Gill settled the question for me.  :-) 16 men to guard one.  Quite a lot for 1 fellow.  I'd be slightly overwhelmed by 16 burly (I am assuming they didn't pick wimps) men.


Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.  (Acts 12:5)


I like that - prayer without ceasing - reminds me of the passage instructing the Bride to pray without ceasing.  (1 Thessalonian 5:17)


prayer - G4335 - From G4336; prayer (worship); by implication an oratory (chapel).


without ceasing - G1618 - From G1614; intent: - without ceasing, fervent.


And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. (Acts 12:6)


sleeping - G2837 - From G2749; to put to sleep, that is, (passively or reflexively) to slumber; figuratively to decease.


keepers - G5441 - From G5442; a watcher or sentry.


kept - G5083 - From τηρός teros (a watch; perhaps akin to G2334); to guard (from loss or injury, properly by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from G5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from G2892, which implies a fortress or full military lines of apparatus), that is, to note (a prophecy; figuratively to fulfil a command); by implication to detain (in custody; figuratively to maintain); by extension to withhold (for personal ends; figuratively to keep unmarried).  [Note: This is the same word used in verse 5.]


I liked Gill's commentary on verse 6 - (I like Gill's commentaries in general :) ) - the same night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers; fearless of death, being in a good cause, and having nothing to ruffle and disturb his mind; and though he was in a prison, and in such company, God gave him, his beloved, sleep.


Regarding the chained issue - bound with two chains; one on one hand, and one on the other, each of which were fastened to the soldiers; that on his right hand was fastened to the left hand of the soldier, that was on that side; and that on his left hand to the right hand of the soldier, on the other side him; such security was made, that he might not get away from them; to which is added.


I am trying to figure out - 16 soldiers initially - were these the ones chained to him?  Or were they the keepers of the door?


Herod determined he was NOT going to lose this prisoner!  What an encouragement from our brother Peter - in prison, destined for apparent death, yet resting in the Lord, HIS provision and protection enough to sleep - and quite heartily it would appear.


And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell of from his hands. (Acts 12:7)


Slumbering well enough NOT to notice a bright light in what was obviously a very dark place and had to be smitten to be awakened.  O Lord, help us Your people to rest so fervently in You regardless of the trials, tribulations, tests and bondages which You allow.  Help the Bride to pray for those who are bound for the sake of the gospel, to give diligence to intercede for Your chosen people.


Peter is out - seeking his spiritual family - I found it interesting that the damsel who answers the gate - her name is recorded.  Rhoda = rose.  Would we be worthy of having our name recorded if Scripture were still being written?  Something so simple as answering a knock on a garden gate and Father deemed it noteworthy to acknowledge her name.  Simply amazing.  Thanks be to Him who has ensured that our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life!


I used to think the ending verse to this passage was unfair.  Yet, Father is not unfair.  He completely organizes events and circumstances to bring out HIS divine will and plan.  Knowing when each man will pass from this temporal plane to the eternal state.  Some to everlasting life, others to eternal torment.  Do you know your final destination?


And when Herod had sought for him (Peter), and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. (Acts 12:19a)


Herod departs to Caesarea - and until recently I never made the connection of this verse:


"...and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost."  (Acts 12:23) - I had always wondered how Herod could be eaten of worms and then give up the ghost.  Isn't that backwards?


Within the last year or so, I have studied and researched how people can have internal parasites - oh YUCK!  internal worms - quite appalling!  But that makes sense, Herod, could have had intestinal worms or some other type of internal worm infestation which caused him to expire.  All obviously by the divine direction of God.


Gill, Henry and Poole all concur - he was eaten of worms prior to his demise.  I will quote Poole on this one, "He was eaten of worms; either breeding in his bowels, or in his flesh, after a more unusual manner; as it is recorded of Herod the Great, that he was eaten up of lice.  No creature so little or contemptible, but it can execute God's judgments on whom HE please."


Reminds me of the verse:  Luke 11:39  And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.


There are many within the visible church which give the appearance of being righteous, moral, reformed, upright, say the 'right' words, do the 'right' things, etc. etc., but it is all an outward show.  Then there are the 'churches' which say they are churches, but are of the synagogue of satan, pretending to 'preach' the gospel, but in reality full of dead men's bones.   Acquiescing to the culture and making 'church' fun, seeker friendly, not giving out the medicine of the Word.  Lord, help us as the day of Your return draws ever nearer to be cleansed and made holy, meet for Your use, desiring to give a proper estimate of You in all that we say do and think.  God preserve us from being full of worms, eaten from the inside out with the ways of the world.  Give us a heart to hear, see, read, study and know You and Your Word with a growing intimacy which brings health and life.

Day 317

XVII The Ministries of Paul and Peter ~ cont.

A. First records the early church at Jerusalem ~ cont.

6. Growth of church under Peter's ministry ~ cont.

c. Church established at Antioch

(1) Early days - Acts 11:19-24

(2) Paul visits - Acts 11:25-30

d. James killed (son of Zebedee) - Acts 12:1-2

B. Book of James (brother of Jesus)

1. Temptations try faith - James 1:1-27

2. True faith will perform good works - James 2:1-26; 3:1-18

"And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord."  (Acts 11:21)


believed - G4100 - From G4102; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), that is, credit; by implication to entrust (especially one’s spiritual well being to Christ).


turned - G1994 - From G1909 and G4762; to revert (literally, figuratively or morally).


Gill's commentary:  and a great number believed; not the Gospel only, but in Christ preached in it, Acts 11:20 which was not owing to the force of moral persuasion in the ministers, nor to the power of free will in the people, but to the hand or power of the Lord; for the work of faith is not a work of man's will, but of God's almighty power and grace; and when that is displayed, multitudes believe in Christ for righteousness and life: and turned to the Lord; and obeyed his commands; see Psa_119:59 as a fruit, effect, and consequence of believing in Christ; for not first conversion is here intended, which is not man's work, but God's, and in which God is the agent, and man is passive; but obedience to the ordinances of Christ, as the fruit of faith, is meant.


Because this believed/baptized issue is tickling my mind...I went back to some of the scriptures which specifically stated believed and/or baptized.

Mar 16:16  He that believeth (G4100) and (G2532) is baptized (G907) shall be saved; (G4982) but (G1161) he that believeth not (G569) shall be damned. (G2632)

Acts 8:12- believed and baptized

Gill's commentary:  they were baptized, both men and women: that is, when, they heard Philip preach the Gospel, and believed in Christ, the sum and substance of it, and made a profession of faith, they were of each sex, both men and women, baptized by immersion, in the name of Jesus Christ.

Believe?  believeth?  believed?  What is the difference?  Is there any difference?  How many different words are there that are translated believe (or some variation)?


Quite a few - :-)
G544 - From G545; to disbelieve (wilfully and perversely).  - Used 16x - translated as: not believing, believe not, disobedient, unbelieving, not obey, obey not.


G569 - From G571; to be unbelieving, that is, (transitively) disbelieve, or (by implication) disobey. - Used 7x - translated as: believed not, not believed.


G571 - From G1 (as a negative particle) and G4103; (actively) disbelieving, that is, without Christian faith (specifically a heathen); (passively) untrustworthy (person), or incredible (thing). - Used 23x - translated as: faithless, unbelievers, incredible (thing), believeth not, unbelieving, believe not, infidel.


G3982 - A primary verb; to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflexively or passively to assent (to evidence or authority), to rely (by inward certainty). - Used 55x - (Strong's word list) - agree, assure, believe, have confidence, be (wax) content, make friend, obey, persuade, trust, yield.


G4100 - From G4102; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), that is, credit; by implication to entrust (especially one’s spiritual well being to Christ).  Used 248x - (Strong's word list) - believe (-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.


G4102 - From G3982; persuasion, that is, credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly constancy in such profession; by extension the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself. - Used 244x - (Strong's word list) - assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.


G4103 - From G3982; objectively trustworthy; subjectively trustful.  - Used 68x (Strong's word list) - believe (-ing, -r), faithful (-ly), sure, true.


G4135 - From G4134 and G5409; to carry out fully (in evidence), that is, completely assure (or convince), entirely accomplish.  - Used 5x - translated as: believed, persuaded, proof, fully known.


G4168 - Neuter of a presumed derivative of G4167; a flock, that is, (figuratively) group (of believers).  - Used 5x - translated as: flock.


I (laughing at myself) thought, prior to searching, that I would include all the Scriptural references...obviously there are quite a few.  There are numerous resources online that allow you to search for words, phrases, definitions, etc.  My favorite program is E-Sword, which you can download for free here.  I enjoy this program primarily because it is 'on' my computer which means I don't need internet access.  One site that I have used to link to commentaries and is liked by many is Blue Letter Bible.  I think I have used either this one, Bible Study Tools or this one, Bible Com as well.


I encourage all to avail yourselves of any and all study resources that are available.  A Strong's concordance is a MUST - especially if you want to know what the words mean, where they are used, etc. etc.  Next would be some sound commentaries - I tend to prefer Matthew Poole, John Gill and Matthew Henry.


The main exhortation - read the Word, be instant in season and out, search the Scriptures daily, study to show yourself approved.  We all want to hear, well done thou good and faithful servant when we stand before our Lord.  How will we know what HE wants if we spend not time with Him?