“For this reason we also, from the day we heard of it, have not ceased to pray and make [special] request for you, [asking] that you may be filled with the full (deep and clear) knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom [in comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God] and in understanding and discernment of spiritual things—That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition]. [We pray] that you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, [to exercise] every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy…” (Colossians 1:9-11 The Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)
One year ago, I weighed 165 pounds, less than my high school weight, after losing weight due to a medical condition and related procedure. If I were a boxer, back then I would have been in the middle weight division. Well, I’m not a middle weight class anymore! My weight has steadily gone back up to where I am very, very close to being eligible to be classified in the heavyweight division in professional boxing. I don’t need to tell you that others have noticed the change. Aside from having to stop buying medium size clothes and start buying large once again, I don’t mind the gain at all! No longer do I have a perfect BMI, but I’m good with the gain. The gain did not settle in one place. It is evenly distributed, thank God!
Now, when it comes to gain, as a believer; when it comes to moving up a little bit higher on the scale of spiritual maturity, as applied to us all, belonging to the body of Christ, people should notice the difference; notice the gain in more than one place, min more than one arena of life. People should see that we have made gains in our commitment, gains in our knowledge of the scriptures, gains in our prayer life, gains in our stewardship, gains in our thinking, talking, and walking without wavering on the narrow path of righteousness, gains that show that we have put on a little more Jesus than the last time they saw us, gains that show that have put on more resistance to the temptation we face, and gains to the weight of our spiritual armor that make fighting our battles all the more successful.
I do have questions specifically for you. Here it is! Considering what was mentioned in the paragraph immediately above, are people noticing that you are gaining? Are you in a higher division or class, as with me when using the boxing division analogy to relate to spiritual growth? Is your spiritual gain evenly distributed, in all parts of Christian living? I suspect, since you to our committed to the climb, that the answer is a resounding, “Yes!”
Have a good, God-conscious, Christ centered day! Wear your “gain” with gladness! Grow in the Lord even more! Use your gain to wrestle against the schemes of the devil, against the world forces of darkness. Use your “gain” to your advantage, and as a side effect, for the advancement of the kingdom. Be blessed!
“But grow in spiritual strength and become better acquainted with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be all glory and splendid honor, both now and forevermore. Good-bye.” (2 Peter 3:18 The Living Bible)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King