As humans, we all start on a path that leads away from God. The Bible tells us in Ephesians 2 that we are "dead in the trespasses and sins" and "by nature children of wrath." (Ephesians 2:1, 3)But God, in His great love and mercy, provided a way for us to be forgiven, redeemed, and set on a new path - the path of following Jesus.
Below is the journey every person takes as they follow Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.
Below is the journey every person takes as they follow Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.
The Natural Man: How Everyone Starts
Before we come to faith in Christ, we are spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1). Another term for spiritually dead is sinner.
Every part of us has been corrupted by sin. Every person is, at their core, a sinner. A by-product of that nature, we commit acts of rebellion against God or sins.
Because of our nature or state of sin, we follow the ways of the world and are under the influence of God's enemy, the devil (Ephesians 2:2).
We live to gratify the cravings of our flesh and follow its desires and thoughts (Ephesians 2:3).
This is the starting point for every person.
Every part of us has been corrupted by sin. Every person is, at their core, a sinner. A by-product of that nature, we commit acts of rebellion against God or sins.
Because of our nature or state of sin, we follow the ways of the world and are under the influence of God's enemy, the devil (Ephesians 2:2).
We live to gratify the cravings of our flesh and follow its desires and thoughts (Ephesians 2:3).
This is the starting point for every person.
New Life: A Fresh Start
The first step in the spiritual growth process is conversion.
Conversion, simply, is changing from one thing into another. In this case, the Natural Man is changed into a New Creation in Jesus.
The process of conversion begins the moment we choose to follow Jesus. It's a journey that involves two key elements:
Then, several unseen changes happen simultaneously at the moment of conversion.
Conversion, simply, is changing from one thing into another. In this case, the Natural Man is changed into a New Creation in Jesus.
The process of conversion begins the moment we choose to follow Jesus. It's a journey that involves two key elements:
- Repentance - turning 180 degrees from how our sinful nature tried to make life work, abandoning our old ways.
- Faith - trusting in Jesus alone for our salvation (Mark 1:15). These are like two sides of the same coin. True repentance is always accompanied by faith.
Then, several unseen changes happen simultaneously at the moment of conversion.
Regeneration
At the moment of conversion, we are regenerated or "born again" (John 3:3). God imparts new spiritual life to us.
Previously, we were spiritually dead, but in Christ, we become spiritually alive (Ephesians 2:5). We are a new creation - the old has passed away, and the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17).
God gives us a new heart and puts His Spirit within us (Ezekiel 36:26-27).
Previously, we were spiritually dead, but in Christ, we become spiritually alive (Ephesians 2:5). We are a new creation - the old has passed away, and the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17).
God gives us a new heart and puts His Spirit within us (Ezekiel 36:26-27).
Justification
Justification is a legal term that means to be declared righteous or in right standing before God.
When we put our trust in Christ, God gives us a righteous legal standing before Him (Romans 5:1).
He forgives our past, present, and future sins because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross (Colossians 2:13-14). God no longer looks at our sin but at the perfect righteousness of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).
When we put our trust in Christ, God gives us a righteous legal standing before Him (Romans 5:1).
He forgives our past, present, and future sins because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross (Colossians 2:13-14). God no longer looks at our sin but at the perfect righteousness of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Adoption
Not only are we forgiven, but we are adopted into God's own family (John 1:12-13).
Previously, we were "sons of disobedience" and "children of wrath," but now we are children of God (1 John 3:1).
We gain all the rights and privileges of being part of God's family. We can approach God confidently as our loving Heavenly Father (Romans 8:15).
Previously, we were "sons of disobedience" and "children of wrath," but now we are children of God (1 John 3:1).
We gain all the rights and privileges of being part of God's family. We can approach God confidently as our loving Heavenly Father (Romans 8:15).
Growing in Christ: The Real Adventure
Conversion happens in a moment, but spiritual growth is a journey that lasts the rest of our physical lives.
Our faith is not a static state but a dynamic process of progressive sanctification. This means we are continually and gradually transformed to mirror the character of Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18).
As we obey God daily, sin loses its grip on us over time. We will never be "sinless" in this life, but we can "sin less" as we submit to Christ's authority over our lives (Romans 6:11-14).
All who genuinely repent and put their faith in Christ will continue following Him.
Jesus promises that no one can snatch us out of His hand (John 10:28-29), which is to say that we can have assurance that this spiritual growth has started. There is nothing more powerful than God that can reverse our adoption into God's family (Ephesians 3:38-39).
This doesn't mean we never sin, have bad seasons, or face hardships. Still, a true believer will, because of the gift of the Holy Spirit, persevere to the end of life by God's sustaining grace (Philippians 1:6). The Holy Spirit seals us, or protects us, for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30).
Our faith is not a static state but a dynamic process of progressive sanctification. This means we are continually and gradually transformed to mirror the character of Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18).
As we obey God daily, sin loses its grip on us over time. We will never be "sinless" in this life, but we can "sin less" as we submit to Christ's authority over our lives (Romans 6:11-14).
All who genuinely repent and put their faith in Christ will continue following Him.
Jesus promises that no one can snatch us out of His hand (John 10:28-29), which is to say that we can have assurance that this spiritual growth has started. There is nothing more powerful than God that can reverse our adoption into God's family (Ephesians 3:38-39).
This doesn't mean we never sin, have bad seasons, or face hardships. Still, a true believer will, because of the gift of the Holy Spirit, persevere to the end of life by God's sustaining grace (Philippians 1:6). The Holy Spirit seals us, or protects us, for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30).
Glorification: Fully Like Christ
Our spiritual growth culminates in glorification, or the instant and final translation of Christlikeness.
Glorification happens once we physically die and go to be with Jesus or join Him when He returns again - whichever comes first (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
At that moment, we will be completely free from all sin and made perfect in Christ's image (1 John 3:2).
Glorification is the final stage of God's great work of redemption in our lives (Romans 8:30).
Glorification happens once we physically die and go to be with Jesus or join Him when He returns again - whichever comes first (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
At that moment, we will be completely free from all sin and made perfect in Christ's image (1 John 3:2).
Glorification is the final stage of God's great work of redemption in our lives (Romans 8:30).
Take a Your Best Next Step
From start to finish, spiritual growth is a work of God's grace or underserved kindness.
God calls us, regenerates us, forgives us, transforms us, keeps us, and ultimately glorifies us. What a marvelous salvation!
If you have questions about following Jesus or want to know more about this spiritual growth process, we invite you to set up a Gospel Appointment with someone on our team.
At a Gospel Appointment, you will meet with a pastor or church leader one-on-one to hear what a new life in Jesus looks like and ask any questions you have. It is a very casual and relaxed conversation.
It would be our joy to speak with you further.
God calls us, regenerates us, forgives us, transforms us, keeps us, and ultimately glorifies us. What a marvelous salvation!
If you have questions about following Jesus or want to know more about this spiritual growth process, we invite you to set up a Gospel Appointment with someone on our team.
At a Gospel Appointment, you will meet with a pastor or church leader one-on-one to hear what a new life in Jesus looks like and ask any questions you have. It is a very casual and relaxed conversation.
It would be our joy to speak with you further.