Spiritual Growth in Christ: The Right Attitude

Spiritual growth in Christ starts with a humble heart

Paul says, “Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude” (Philippians 3:15). That may sound strange at first. Just a few verses earlier, Paul says he has not become perfect yet (Philippians 3:12). So what does he mean?

Paul does not mean that he never sins. He means that mature believers should have the right heart. A mature Christian knows this truth: “I have not arrived yet, but I want to keep following Jesus.” That is the right attitude.

Jesus says, “You are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). That is a very high call. God wants His children to become more like Him. He wants us to love what is good, to turn away from sin, and He wants our lives to show His heart.

Peter says the same thing. He writes, “Be holy yourselves also in all your behavior” (1 Peter 1:15). Holiness means that we belong to God. It means that we do not live the same way we lived before we knew Jesus.

Before we came to Christ, we may not have seen our sin clearly. We may have used bad words, lied, or we may have been selfish. We may have followed the world without much thought. But when Jesus saved us, He began to change us.

Spiritual growth in Christ does not happen all at once. God works in us day by day. He shows us what needs to change. He helps us take the next step.

Spiritual growth in Christ needs God’s power

Paul says in Philippians 3:16, “Let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.” In simple words, Paul says, “Keep walking in the truth you already know.” Do not quit. Do not give up.

God never asks us to grow by our own power alone. He gives us His Spirit. Second Corinthians 4:7 says, “We have this treasure in earthen vessels.” The treasure is God’s Spirit in us. The earthen vessel is our weak human body.

That means God’s power lives in His people. We may feel weak, but God is strong. If we fall, God can lift us up. When we face hard temptation, God gives us a way out.

First Corinthians 10:13 says God will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear. He will also give us a way to escape. That does not mean temptation feels easy. It means God stays faithful.

A Christian must learn the difference between conviction and shame. Conviction comes from God. It shows us our sin and calls us back to Him. Shame and hopeless blame come from the enemy. They tell us, “God could never love you.”

Romans 8:1 says, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” That verse gives great hope. Jesus does not crush His people. He calls them to come near.

Seasons of life can feel hard. Moses had long seasons too. He lived as a prince in Egypt. Then he lived as a shepherd for forty years. Later, God used him to lead Israel out of slavery.

His hard season did not waste his life. God used it to shape him. In the same way, God can use our hard seasons to grow us.

So keep the right attitude. Say, “Lord, make me more like Jesus.” Ask Him to show you the next step. Then walk with Him today.

To watch the full message and bible study on this topic, CLICK HERE.

To view our most recent Sunday services, CLICK HERE.

Read more in the Core Truth blog when you CLICK HERE.