By Mike Riley

The following questions are good indicators of spiritual growth:

• Do we spend time reading God’s word and talking with Him each day in prayer? (2 Timothy 2:15 ASV; 1 Thessalonians 1:2).
• Do we look forward to fellowshipping with the Lord? (Hebrews 10:23-25).
• What “fruit of the Spirit” is apparent in our life? (Gal. 5:22).
• Do we talk about Jesus with people who don’t know Him? (Luke 14:23).
• How are we using our God-given talents? (Matthew 25:14-30).
• Do we have a generous and giving spirit? 2 Corinthians 8:1-5).
• How much better do we know God today than we did a year ago?(1 John 2:3-5).

A child seems to grow up all of a sudden, but it’s actually a continual process. Just as Jesus grew in both wisdom and stature (Luke 2:52), we are to continue to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

We are no longer to be children, but are to “grow up in all things into Him who is the head — Christ” (Ephesians 4:14-15). Have we measured ourselves by God’s divine standard lately? (2 Corinthians 13:5; cf. John 12:48).