The One Thing You Need to Do to Grow

We all want to grow spiritually. That’s why you’re reading this. People who don’t yet know Christ might call it self-improvement, or even being fulfilled. Christians call it sanctification or bearing fruit. Nobody wants to stay where they are. As we were taught in school: living things are born, grow, reproduce, and die.

When Christians talk about spiritual growth, we usually talk about the importance of prayer and meditation, reading Scripture, listening to sermons, reading articles and books, and evangelizing. Most of these practices are mentioned in Scripture multiple times and have been the routine of godly men and women throughout church history and in our churches at this very moment. 

But today, I have something better to give you—something more succinct. I want to give you the only thing you have to do to grow spiritually, at least the main one. Ready?

It’s obedience.

One of the best-known verses about spiritual growth is Hebrews 5:14. It teaches that “Solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” Similarly to Paul with the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 3), the author of this letter seems vexed with the Hebrews for their lack of maturity, which makes him have to deal with the same basic principles of faith (milk) time and time again, never being able to eat solid food. 

But note how the mature person looks: It’s the one with trained senses to discern because they practice discerning and doing what is and what is not Christlike.

I’m an unwavering proponent of theological education and teaching. In Latin America, where I pastor, we’re experiencing a profound need for sound doctrine that is systematized and transmitted, from pulpits to pews.

However, after being in diverse environments where academy and sound doctrine are abundant, and more importantly—after seeing my own life and taking a good look at the cunningness of my heart, I can say with confidence that maturity is not the necessary outcome of knowledge. 

Hebrews 5 shows the need for good teaching, something that you and I should seek. This implies, first and foremost, that we must draw near to the Word every day, desiring it like newborn children. But that’s not all: maturity needs practice. We need exercise.

We need obedience.

So, while we look for good books, what area of our lives have we noticed that we’re not being obedient to the Lord?

While we try to understand some verse from the Word whose meaning escapes us, what verse do we understand and aren’t putting into practice?

While we pray for greater growth and closeness to Christ, who do we need to forgive, or ask for forgiveness so that our prayers aren’t disturbed?

To give fruit, we need to obey. We are saved absolutely and completely by grace alone (Ephesians 2:8–9), and we’re saved absolutely to do good works (Ephesians 2:10). Christ died for people who are zealous for good works (Titus 2:14) and has given us his Holy Spirit to do so. Of course, to obey him we need him (John 15:5). But as we give fruit, we’re manifesting that we’re genuinely close to him.

So, you want to grow spiritually? Obey the Lord. Today.

“Does it make sense to pray for guidance about the future if we are not obeying in the thing that lies before us today? How many momentous events in Scripture depended on one person’s seemingly small act of obedience? Rest assured: Do what God tells you to do now, and, depending upon it, you will be shown what to do next.”

― Elisabeth Elliot