Topic: Spiritual Growth Is a Lifelong Journey [RICK WARREN Devotional 7 June 2021]

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Spiritual Growth Is a Lifelong Journey

“This will continue until we are . . . mature, just as Christ is, and we will be completely like him.”

Ephesians 4:13 (CEV)Becoming like Christ is a long, slow process of growth. Spiritual maturity is neither instant nor automatic. It’s gradual and progressive.

Paul said, “This will continue until we are . . . mature, just as Christ is, and we will be completely like him” (Ephesians 4:13 CEV).

You are a work in progress. Your spiritual transformation—developing the character of Jesus—will take the rest of your life. And even then it won’t be completed here on Earth. It will only be finished when you get to heaven or when Jesus returns. At that point, any unfinished work on your character will be wrapped up.

The Bible says that when you’re finally able to see Jesus perfectly, you will become perfectly like him: “We are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is” (1 John 3:2 NLT).

Many Christians become confused because they ignore this simple truth: God is far more interested in building your character than he is in anything else.

People worry when God seems silent on specific issues, such as “What career should I choose?” The truth is, there are many different careers that could be in God’s will for your life. What God cares about most is that whatever you do, you do in a Christlike manner.

God is far more interested in who you are than in what you do. We are human beings, not human doings. God is much more concerned about your character than your career—because you will take your character into eternity, not your career.

God’s purpose is to make you like him before he takes you to heaven. Becoming like Jesus is your greatest privilege, your immediate responsibility, and your ultimate destiny.

• How have you seen God shaping your character to be more like Jesus?
• God is more interested in who you are than in what you do. How does knowing this change the things you’re praying about or worrying about?
• Your spiritual transformation will take your whole life—and not be completed until you see Jesus face to face. How does that knowledge affect how you live each day?

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