KEEP GROWING IN JESUS

SCRIPTURE:

“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52 NIV)

OBSERVATION:

            Jesus has to learn to make decisions concerning his purpose and reason for coming to earth.  His parents didn’t always understand Jesus’ life purpose.  Joseph and Mary were reminded about who Jesus was when the Prophet Samuel spoke about him in their presence.  They marveled at what was said about him.  Samuel blessed Joseph and Mary and told them, “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be spoken against so the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.  And the sword will pierce your own soul, too. 

            Though Joseph and Mary were Jesus’s parents, it was God who planned Jesus’s purpose.  Jesus needed the tutelage and guardianship of Joseph and Mary to grow into his purpose and fulfill what God had sent him to earth to do.  Parents are there to aid God’s purpose in a child’s life.  To fulfill God’s purpose in my life this year, I need to grow into his purpose.  I am reminded of these four truths about growing into God’s purpose.

• I must GRIW IN WISDOM.  Wisdom is gained from life’s experience.  Wisdom is to learn from the experiences of others.  But true Godly wisdom comes from God, who gifted all those who need wisdom and ask God for it.  Wisdom helps me to discern and determine what the will of God is for any given situation.  The wisdom I learned from my life’s experience is not enough, nor is it what I learned from the experience of others.  I am reminded the fear of the Lord is where wisdom begins. 
• I must GROW IN STATURE.  Stature is a measure of a person.  It is about reputation, status, influence, renown, and acclaim.  In other words, it is about my Character.  I must grow in my character.  Character is what gives a person status, influence, and reputation.  I must reflect in my life the characteristics of Jesus.  I must grow in the fear of the Lord.  I must reflect and act in a manner worthy of my calling daily.
• I must GROW IN FAVOR WITH GOD.   Jesus always seeks to do what pleases the Father.  Jesus always walks in a manner that his Father is seen in everything he does.  Jesus understood the love his Father had for him.  Jesus always knows that the hand of his Father was upon him.  I, too, must walk with Jesus, knowing that his hand is upon my life.  I must know that my heavenly Father will lead me into a place in which I will fulfill his purpose in my life. 
•  I must GROW IN FAVOR WITH MAN.  When my ways please God, he grants favors in my relationship with others.  God gives favor in my relationship with others.  When I grow in godly character, showing kindness, patience, love, care, forgiveness, and so forth, people’s hearts open up in relationships with me. 

The goal of the Christian life is to love God and love others as myself.  The expectation of the Christian life is that I keep growing like Jesus.  Jesus grew in WISDOM, STATURE, AND FAVOR WITH GOD AND MAN.  My relationship with others is important to growing in Jesus.

APPLICATION:

            This year, 2024, my desire is to grow more in WISDOM and in my CHARACTER and to see the FAVOR of God increase in my life daily.  I also want to grow in favor of all my human relationships, especially my married life.  I need to grow in God daily.

PRAYER:

            Lord, I am grateful for the reminder to continue to grow in wisdom and stature and walk in the favor of you and others.  Please teach me to fear you this year.  I ask that you teach me how to be wise and how to keep growing in my character so you may be seen in me.  Help me to walk in your favor and in favor of others this year and always.  In your name, Jesus, Amen!