Webster's dictionary defines growth as: to increase in size, to develop, and reach maturity; to expand; and to increase. My thoughts are to compare the physical growth of a child to the spiritual growth of a child of God.

John 3:3 "Jesus answered and said unto him, verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

John 3:5 "Jesus answered, verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

I Peter 1:23 "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever."

II Corinthians 5:17 "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things have passed away behold all things are become new."

These verses tell us that just as there is a physical birth for a child there is a spiritual birth for a child of God. A child is born to enter a man's house; just as a child of God is born of the spirit to enter the House of God or Church of God. For a child of God to be born there must be a repentance and a change of heart for salvation and sanctification to be given. Our heart is the seat or center of our affections or desires. As children of God our eyes and ears are opened to what God is requiring of us through reading his Word and from listening to our pastor. Changes come because we love God and want to please him and not the world. In God's way, he shows us how to please him in dressing modestly, in Godly conversations, in good attitudes and in being obedient to his will. God loves us and doesn't want us to conform but rather change willingly. Even as parents love their child and teach them what is right and what is pleasing to them so that the child will respond in the right manner because of the love shown by the parents.

In John 8:31 "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, if ye continue in my Word, then are ye my disciples indeed."

I Peter 2:2 "As new born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word that you may grow thereby:"

II Peter 3:18 "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and our Saviour Jesus Christ..."

Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect, will of God."

A child cannot grow unless he is fed with milk and later with food. He cannot crawl and then walk without exercising and stretching and using his muscles. So it is with the child of God. The child of God must continue in God's ways exercising and using his knowledge as he learns what God would have him to be. It is not enough just to be saved and not work at it. He needs to search through God's word and to pray every day. The Holy Spirit also teaches us truth, that we can be free from Satan's influence in our lives. We know this is true because we can read it in:

John 8:32 "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

II Timothy 2:15 "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth."

As both children grow, they begin to show an outward sign of their growth. Characters are being built that reflect the parents and both are beginning to walk and are no longer crawling. Both children begin to speak the same language and dress like their parents. Their attitudes and behaviors are patterned according to their parents. Both are beginning to stand and to walk.

I Timothy 6:18 "That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate."

You've seen children as they try to copy what you say and do. They love to make the same sounds and motions that you make.

Ephesians 5:15 "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,"

I Peter 1:4 "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:"

That rock is Jesus Christ.

I Peter 1:14,15 "As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance, but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation."

God's child grows spiritually in obedience to His Word.

I Thessalonians 3:12 "And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do you:"

John 15:16 "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you."

As a child of God, you want to share the gifts that God gave to you such as love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, and faith. When you have a burden and pray for unsaved family members, friends, neighbors, or coworkers you are exercising what you have learned of God.

Both children continue to grow and build on the foundations that they have begun.

Hebrews 6:1 "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God."

God's child keeps growing by walking in the light. Christ is our light. And God's child is the light to the world.

Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

In conclusion, after a spiritual birth, a child of God begins growing by desiring and reading the Word of God, and continues to grow in grace, in knowledge of truth, in studying, in walking in the light, in godly appearance, in love for others, in faith, in service unto God, and as a result our fruits glorify God.