Are you participating in religious activities but not experiencing real transformation? Discover the difference between carnal and spiritual Christianity and learn the three essential keys to authentic spiritual growth. What if your spiritual life is stagnant not because of what you're doing, but because of what you're feeding on?

#SpiritualGrowth #ChristianLiving #BiblicalTruth

Part Two: The Pathway to Genuine Growth

True Christianity cannot be reduced to routines, emotions, or rituals. It is a living journey marked by inner transformation and consistent obedience to God’s Word. Many today settle for church attendance and religious motions, yet remain unchanged in heart — operating as carnal Christians, more aligned with culture than with Christ.

Spiritual maturity requires more. Scripture must become more than a Sunday reading; it must be your standard, sustenance, and source of light.

• Standard → A mirror that reveals the truth of who you are and who you are becoming.

• Sustenance → Food for your soul that strengthens you daily.

• Source of Light → Illumination for choices, relationships, and purpose.

When we delight in God’s Word, feed on it as our daily bread, and walk in obedience expressed through love, growth becomes inevitable. Without these anchors, all religious activity — no matter how loud, passionate, or consistent — is hollow.

Part two reminds us: Spiritual growth is not optional; it is the evidence of real faith

True Christianity involves growth, transformation, and obedience to God's Word, not just religious activities. Many churchgoers today are carnal Christians who participate in religious activities but aren't truly aligned with God. Spiritual growth begins with aligning your life to Scripture, which serves as a mirror, food, and light for believers. The three keys to growing spiritually are delighting in God's Word, understanding that Scripture is spiritual nourishment, and demonstrating love through obedience. Without these elements, religious activities become meaningless, regardless of how passionate or consistent they may be.

Our Christian life must include both learning of the Lord and following Him to be authentic. True spiritual growth requires changing our mindset based on God's revelation, not others' perceptions. The transformation process is ongoing and progressive, requiring us to develop godly customs like Jesus did. These include regular church attendance driven by love for God, consistent alone time with the Father in prayer and worship, and practicing genuine fasting. The power to propel our spiritual lives forward comes from building this foundation, which makes our prayers more effective because they come from a place of obedience and relationship.

Return to the Lord means coming back from spiritual exile to live a Christ-centered life. Many Christians drift away without realizing it, going through religious motions while lacking true understanding. Jesus died and rose again so that repentance and remission of sins could be preached to all nations. True Christianity requires having our understanding opened by God, experiencing genuine repentance that changes our direction, and waiting to be endowed with power from on high. When we truly return to the Lord, we walk in the same power that raised Christ from the dead.

Building a strong foundation is essential for spiritual growth and life success. Life inevitably brings challenges - thorns with roses, winters after summers, and storms at sea. To withstand these challenges, we need proper training that transforms us to think and act like Christ. Our greatest enemy isn't Satan but ourselves, as we often resist change by clinging to old patterns while desiring new outcomes. To build a strong foundation, we must count the cost of our spiritual journey and act on God's Word rather than merely hearing it. The wise builder constructs life methodically on Christ's teachings, while the foolish builder rejects guidance and builds on shifting sand.

Pastor Victor dives into part two as we understand why we need preaching!

Why do we even go to church? Surely we don't need to hear preaching every Sunday?