Signs of Spiritual Growth- Col. 1:9-14

Take your spiritual pulse and see if you have these "signs of spiritual growth" in your life (Col.1:9-14)? Ephesians 4:15 says, "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him (Christ) in all things…"

1. Am I cultivating a deep, growing, personal knowledge of God (v. 9a)?
- Are you stagnant spiritually? Is your love for Christ growing daily?

2. Does that knowledge control my life (v. 9a)?

- Are you dominated by it? Is it producing a Christlikeness in you?
- "filled" means consumed or controlled completely

3. Does that knowledge translate into action (v. 9b)?

- Do I get defensive? Do I get angry? Do I feel slighted or worry?
- Do I respond poorly to criticism? Am I highly opinionated or critical?
- I Cor. 14:20- “Brethren, be not children in understanding..."

4. Is my conduct continually pleasing to the Lord (v. 10a)? What is not pleasing?

- Any ambitions or attitudes or music or thoughts displeasing to God?
- "worthy" means humble, appropriate, loving and pleasing
- Psa. 66:18- “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.”

5. Am I bearing fruit regularly (v. 10b)?

- Examples:

Pointing people to Christ (I Cor. 16:15)
Overcoming temptations (I John 2:14)
A deeper love for God’s Word (Ps. 119:97)
A more perfect obedience (I John 2:3–5)
A greater love for Christ and others (Eph. 3:17-19)
A strong doctrinal foundation (I John 2:12–14)
Sacrificial giving (Rom. 15:26–28)
Godly living (Heb. 12:11)
Displaying holy attitudes (Gal. 5:22, 23)
Praising God for passionately (Heb. 13:15)
An expanding faith (II Thess. 1:3; II Cor. 10:5)
Partaking of the deeper truths of Scripture (Heb. 5:14)
Memorizing more Scripture

6. Am I growing in love and understanding of God’s Word (v. 10c)?

- Is the Word becoming a part of me? (see Col. 4:16 & Heb. 5:12)

7. Is there a continuous supply of God’s power in my life to deal with difficult people and difficult circumstances (v. 11)?

8. Am I a grateful person on a regular basis (vs. 12-14)? Do I complain and have a negative attitude? Am I thankful?

New Year's Goal: Follow the "One Anothers" of the Bible

If you want to be more like Christ in 2009, live and follow these "one anothers" of the Scriptures. They are powerful, convicting, and full of wisdom for everyday living. The answers are below if you need them.

1. ______________ one another- I Thess. 5:11 (build up and encourage each other)

2. ________________ to one another- Eph. 5:21 (“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”)

3. ______________ one another- Gal. 5:13 (“by love…”)

4. ___________ one another’s burdens- Gal. 6:2 (“…and so fulfill the law of Christ.”)

5. ________________ ye one another- Rom. 15:7 (“…as Christ also received us to the glory of God.”)

6. _________________ one another- Rom. 15:14

7. _________________ one another- Rom. 12:10 (“in honor…”)

8. Kindly ____________________ one to another- Rom. 12:10 (devoted to one another)

9. _______________________ one toward another- Rom. 15:5 (“according to Christ Jesus”).

10. ____________ __________ one another- Eph. 4:2 (“With all lowliness and meekness…forbearing one another in love.”)

Answers:
edify
submit
serve
bear
receive
admonish
prefer
affectionate
like-minded
bear with