Personal Thoughts on Spiritual Growth
Introduction: Why We Need Spiritual Growth
Let’s face it—the world today can be tough on faith. Life gets busy, doubts creep in, and it’s easy to feel like you’re just trying to keep your head above water. But in the short book of Jude, there’s a strong reminder: don’t just coast along—make real efforts to grow your faith. Jude says, “But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love…” (Jude 1:20-21). In other words, spiritual growth isn’t just for some people or for special occasions. It’s something all believers need if we want to stay strong and steady when things get hard.
What Does “Most Holy Faith” Mean?
When Jude talks about “most holy faith,” he’s pointing to the core trust we have in Jesus—the message of hope, love, and forgiveness passed down from the very beginning. This faith is special and set apart because it comes from God and is meant to guide how we live. It’s not just about what we believe in our heads; it’s about letting those beliefs change our hearts, choices, and relationships. Real faith is something you work on and grow, not just accept and forget about.
Praying in the Holy Spirit: What’s That About?
Jude says we should pray “in the Holy Spirit.” That means letting God’s Spirit help us pray, even when we’re not sure what to say or how to say it. It’s less about fancy words and more about being honest and open. The Bible tells us that even when we’re weak or confused, God’s Spirit helps us connect with Him in prayer (Romans 8:26). These kinds of prayers build a deeper relationship with God and strengthen our faith.
How Do You Grow? Get into the Bible and Good Teaching
If you want to grow spiritually, the Bible is your foundation. Reading, thinking about, and learning from Scripture keeps us on track and helps us avoid getting fooled by wrong ideas. Good teaching—what’s called “doctrine”—gives us structure, helping us know who God is and how to live in a way that pleases Him. As it says in the Bible, “All Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).
Making Spiritual Growth Your Own Job
Jude says, “build yourselves up.” That means spiritual growth is your responsibility—it’s not something you can hand off to someone else or skip when you’re busy. Growing in faith means making choices every day: to pray, read the Bible, and do what’s right, even when it isn’t easy. It’s about steady steps, not giant leaps.
Living the Faith: Putting It into Action
Strong faith shows up in how we live. It’s about loving people, forgiving, helping those in need, and doing what’s right—even when it costs us something. The book of James says, “Don’t just listen to the word…do what it says” (James 1:22). Real faith is practical; it changes the way we act and respond to life’s challenges.
Staying Rooted in God’s Love
Jude also tells us to “keep yourselves in God’s love.” That means remembering that God’s love doesn’t depend on our perfect performance. Even when we mess up, God’s grace and mercy are still there. His love helps us hold on when life gets tough and gives us hope for the future. As 1 John 3:1 says, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” God’s love helps us keep going and not give up.
Encouraging Each Other and Taking Practical Steps
Growing in faith isn’t a solo journey. We need each other for encouragement, support, and accountability. Some simple ways to build your faith include:
· Setting aside time each day for prayer and reading the Bible
· Joining a small group or Bible study
· Memorizing Scripture
· Serving at church or in your community
· Finding someone to keep you accountable
When we walk together, we help each other be strong and resilient.
Conclusion: Take the First Step
Jude’s message is simple but powerful: spiritual growth matters, and it’s for everyone. Start today—build up your faith, pray with help from the Spirit, hold tight to God’s love, and encourage others. Every step you take, no matter how small, helps you grow. The journey lasts a lifetime, but it all begins with one choice: to seek God more deeply. Are you ready to take that step?
Minister A Francine Green
October 2025
afrancinegreen.com 