Spiritual growth shows up in a simple way. Sin becomes less frequent, and godliness becomes more frequent. Over time, a Christian begins to look more and more like Christ. While this is not a complicated idea, it is a serious one. Every Christian should want to grow. Every Christian should want to reflect Jesus.
Paul, in 2 Corinthians 3:18, said: “We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.” Growth is expected. It is natural. Babies grow. That is what life does. In the same way, if you are alive in Christ, you grow.
But this growth is not passive. There are things we must choose to do, by the power of the Spirit, that strengthen and accelerate that growth. And nothing is more heartbreaking than watching a Christian stall out spiritually. God never intended for us to remain infants in the faith. The goal is to grow quickly toward the likeness of Christ, both individually and as a church.
So what drives that growth? Paul gives us the key. We grow as we behold the glory of the Lord. The more we see His glory, the more we desire a life that reflects that glory. Spiritual maturity begins with a growing awareness that everything we do is meant to honor God.
Scripture is clear that we were saved for this very purpose. Romans 1:5 says we received grace “to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the Gentiles.” John wrote that early workers “set out for the sake of the Name” (3 John 7). Those who serve Christ carry His name, speak His name, and live for His name. That is the bottom line.
And so Paul returns to it again: “We… are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory.” When we fix our attention on the glory of the Lord, the Spirit reshapes us. He moves us from one level of likeness to the next. He conforms us to Christ.
This raises an important question: What does it look like to live for God’s glory in a way that leads to real spiritual growth?
Paul answers that too. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Notice the word “whatever.” Even the smallest actions matter. The decisions no one else sees. The words spoken in private. The habits that shape our days.
So we ask simple questions. Does this bring glory to God? Do these words honor Him? Do these patterns make Him glad?
Jesus modeled this mindset. He said, “I do not seek my own glory” (John 8:50). He also said that the one who seeks God’s glory “is true” (John 7:18). Jesus lived with a single aim: to exalt the Father. And His disciples must do the same.
Imagine the change in our spiritual lives if we filtered everything through this one lens: Will it glorify God? Will it honor Christ? Will it deepen my walk with Him?
This is where real growth begins: one choice, one moment, one day at a time, for His glory.
