Today, some points are shared on Christian believers recognizing change and growth within their own spirit. Believers are to experience great joy for their redemption and salvation along with a profound sorrow for sin. Some, in error, think that being spiritual means having a certain feeling. Others err thinking their focus can be upon showing a positive attitude, religious behavior, and good works (e.g., church attendance, debating doctrine, charitable giving, handing out tracts, serving meals to homeless). Those in Christ are cautioned against emotion, introspection (i.e., morbid focus upon ones own failures, faults, and sins that tends to depression and self-condemnation) as well as against self-justification and self-promotion. While parents, pastors and other clergy, and fellow-believers are to be sources of comfort and spokespersons from GOD to the believer, none are to be taken as “heroes” and idols to be copied without prayerful consideration (many say, question or pause). The writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using “Counselor For Lost Souls” as an ID (Level with points, a member since June 10, 2013) posted the following:
How can you measure your spiritual progress?
THE GOLDEN ARROW; For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. (2nd Corinthians 10: 12, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Relationship With Our Creator? (03/16/2015); Understanding Spiritual Growth? (03/13/2015); Those Who Read? (02/17/2015); To Walk As He Walked? (11/16/2014); To Continue In His Footsteps (11/17/2014); Made in the Image of GOD? (10/09/2014); All Who Read Convert? (10/10/2014); A Fallen Nature? (09/01/2014); In the Likeness of His Resurrection (09/02/2014)
“Counselor For Lost Souls”, here are a few ideas from a Christian believer’s point of view:
(1.) Progress may be understood as positive change, growth, and the achievement of balance and wholeness as well as ones satisfaction with movement toward their own goals. For followers of Jesus, many principles and fixed standards are in place to guide those born again in becoming mature (we say, perfected) after the model of Christ.
(2.) Believers may not “grade their own report card,” so to speak; and the new life in Christ is not one of “do as you please.” (Every believer is to do as pleases GOD.) While believers are to learn together and share sacred knowledge, believers are not to compare themselves to one another, nor emulate others as the perfect example. (This includes figures from the Bible such as Moses, David, Solomon and the Apostles.)
(3.) Christians enter into an extended process of permanent change and transformation that must be carried out and completed by the imparted Spirit. Included are confession, bonding with those of the body, rebirth, repentance, and sanctification.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually understood. (For example, (4.) For most of us, the process of new life in Christ appears as one of both learning and un-learning at the same time. New patterns of behavior and thought are to be acquired while old patterns are eliminated, removed, and suppressed. Growth as a believer can be gradual and subtle (i.e., marked by barely visible differences; having hidden and difficult to recognize shifts in meaning and value). Thus, faith, persistence, perseverance, and trust are vital. The transformation begun upon the earth in water baptism will be completed at the coming of Jesus. As they are taken up to meet the Savior in the air, those who are committed and prepared to share eternal life as his companions and joint-heirs will be made immortal and incorruptible.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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