How do we know if we are growing as believers?

Spiritual growth for most people does not occur on a steady incline but through a series of growth spurts.

--Steve DeNeff, FaultLines

For most people, growth does not come from what we planned, but from managing events and circumstances that we didn’t plan.

A lot of Spiritual formation is a discipline of response, that is, life comes at a person and when it comes, our response can be one way or another. Spiritual growth occurs when people are equipped in character to respond rightly to these things that come at them.

--Keith Drury

People grow more under harsh conditions than under normal conditions.

Matthew 16:23

Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

Most people grow not from information but from interpretation.

We have accepted a walk with Jesus that makes us nicer, but not new; forgiven but not innocent.

Holiness is loving God with all my heart, mind, soul and strength and loving my neighbor as myself. Simply put, Holiness is Christlikeness. Holiness is not an “it” as in “have you got it?” It’s him I need. In him I find purity, power, and obedience. Jesus Christ himself is the definition of holiness and its living example.”

--Keith Drury, Holiness for Ordinary People

Unless Christians are truly transformed in the character of God, the whole purpose of the Church’s existence becomes blurred and confused . . . a Church without the character of God lacks the power of God. . .

--John Oswalt, Called to Be Holy

1 Corinthians 2:16

“For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

2 Peter 1:4

Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

Hebrews 12:10

Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.

John 12:27–28

“Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say?

‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. ²⁸ Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”

Culture of control—Father save me from this hour.

Culture of trust—Father, glorify your name.

Romans 8:28–29

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son . . .

James 1:4

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.