GROWING INTO SPIRITUAL GIANTS

Have you ever considered other godly Christians and wondered how they became such spiritual giants? Perhaps some of us may look at ourselves and think that we may never rise to such heights in our faith or ministry.

The parable of the mustard seed that Jesus told (Mt 13:31-32) speaks of the growth of the Kingdom of God. The principles contained within apply for each one of us Christ-followers as well. If we are to grow into spiritual giants there are a number of principles that we should understand.

He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches." Matthew 13:31-32

Special highlight Global Conference video

1. It starts with the right seed.

The man in the parable sought for a mustard seed. He knew what he was looking for. The right seed. The key to growing into a spiritual giant is to have the right seed in our lives. The Bible reveals to us that the Holy Spirit is in our lives from the moment of regeneration. The Holy Spirit is the divine seed planted in our lives. It is the Holy Spirit who is able to bring forth His fruit (Gal 5:22-23) in our lives. Hence, we should not imagine that we do not have what it takes to be a spiritual giant. Because the seed is already in our lives. However, the critical step is the next step.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Gal 5:22-23




2. The seed must be cultivated.

The man had to take the seed, plant it and tend to it in order that the seed may take root and eventually grow. The mustard seed, if kept in a bottle will be utterly useless. It can never take root and grow.

In the same way, just as the Holy Spirit is in us yet we must co-operate with the Holy Spirit. We must apply the grace that God has made available to us through His Word and His Holy Spirit. When we determine to be obedient to the guidance and prompting of the Holy Spirit, when we choose to diligently understand God’s Word and apply it in our lives, then the transformation will begin to become evident in our lives.

God has already provided for us all the necessary ingredients to grow into a spiritual giant. But we must appropriate it and apply it in our lives. When we walk by the Spirit, when we live according to God’s Word, when we ensure that we are committed in the fellowship of our local church, the divine in seed in us is cultivated and the Holy Spirit is able to bring about spiritual growth in our lives.

We should be careful never to quench the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives through deliberate disobedience otherwise we hinder our spiritual growth.



3. Perseverance is needed as the seed grows.

The man had to wait for the seed to take root and eventually grow into a tree. This often takes years. The growing of the Kingdom in us will always take time. Often there has to be deep personal issues that has to be addressed by the Holy Spirit. During these times, we must persevere with patience. It is during such times that the Enemy may seek to distract us or discourage us. He may tempt us with other brighter, louder and more stimulating interests. He may urge us to take short cuts which are in reality detours that take us from God’s path. Or he may taunt our seemingly lack of progress as evidence of our hopeless dream.

In such times, we must persevere in the grace of God on the journey that God has placed us on.

When I first started on my spiritual journey of growth, it was slow and hesitant. There were distractions, detours, discouragement that abound to trip me up. Yet because I persevered in God, I begin to see the work of God becoming more and more evident in my life. Soon, the emphasis God had upon my life became more clearer and His anointing grew stronger upon my life.

During this phase of growing it is tremendously helpful to have a spiritual mentor or spiritual leaders who can provide input and guidance upon your lives. Their experiences and advice is of great value as we face our own challenges.



4. It is not about us alone.

The mustard tree became a resting place for the birds as it grew large. In the same way, our spiritual growth should not be ourselves. If our focus is inward, we will become selfish. Our motivations will be limited. But when our focus is on God’s purposes, when it is on the blessing we can be to others – it can motivate us to a far greater degree. For we are not growing for ourselves alone.

We are growing for God and His purposes. It is God who planted His seed in us. It is God who has His purposes for our lives. Let us therefore keep our eyes upon God. Let us avail ourselves for God’s purposes.

May you seek to grow to be a spiritual giant. Then you may be use of God to impact your city and beyond. My prayer is that each one of us will aspire to grow into all that God has destined for us. When we each grow in that way, surely our churches will grow strong and be used of God mightily to expand the Kingdom of God.

Yours in faith,

Dr. Wilson Lim
Chairman of Hope Oceania Churches