Deeper - Part 1

Two Summers ago, I did a series on Deeper Water. Both my “aqua-holic” and self-improvement sides thoroughly enjoyed that experience. I am currently reading a book entitled Deeper and it is excellent. The book is about how Christians grow deeper in their faith. I love this quote about growth because I believe that is captures the essence of what we all want in our lives - health, growth and refinement.

Healthy things grow and growing things change.

The author of Deeper contends that we instinctively, yet incorrectly, take one of three approaches to spiritual growth. The first is the “outward behavior” approach. This approach come with the notion that the more we do for God and the less that we sin, the more that He loves us. In other words, improved outward behavior is the answer for growing closer to God. While it is somewhat natural for us to believe that, it is actually the other way around. When we realize that He already unconditionally loves us and we pursue a deeper relationship with Him, it will eventually result in changed behavior and a more intense desire to serve Him.

The second approach is referred to as “intellectual addition.” This belief tells us that if we understand the doctrines of our faith better, this will lead us to a deeper relationship with God. Again, the reverse order is more true. As we draw closer to Him in a deeper relationship, the doctrines of our faith will make more sense to us. Stronger doctrinal awareness is a result of going deeper not the path to going deeper.

The third approach is through “felt experience” where the path the growth comes in worship experiences like praise music or “mountaintop time” like JH Ranch. The problem is that as wonderful as these experiences can be, they aren’t always present in our lives. They are experiential and not a constant. “Felt experiences” can lead us to a desire for a deeper walk with the Lord but are not the sole pathway to getting there.

Hear me when I say this please - each of these three approaches are critically necessary in healthy Christian development. However, none of them are singularly reliable for a deeper walk with the Lord. If fact, if we are missing any of these or if one is way out of proportion in relation to the others, we may not grow in Christian maturity.

All of us would likely agree that we have a desire to grow spiritually. Part of our view of our own spiritually maturity is at least somewhat flawed because it is based on comparing ourselves to others. We seem to be doing pretty well based on what else we see out there so we must be doing most everything right. But, are we leaving something on the table? Maybe even the best part?

Hopefully, the question for you is not “if” but “how.” How do I grow?

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Deepening is about what we already have - a saving faith through Jesus Christ, the presence of the Holy Spirit living within us and 24/7 access to the God of the universe. We already have everything that we need for the deeper relationship we are looking for. Purer behavior, sharper doctrine and richer emotions are all wonderful offsprings of a “closer walk with thee” but they don’t provide the sole path to get us there.

I am excited about going on this journey with you over the rest of the Summer in this six-part series. There are several other great concepts to discuss as we walk the road to true spiritual growth. It might just turn out to be the best Summer trip we’ve ever taken.

Stay hungry,

Big E

Matt. 5:6