Lesson Three • Grow
Devotion #4: There Is No In-Between
Joe Wilson
“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” Philippians 3:12
Lou Holtz is a former NCAA Football Coach and ESPN Analyst. One of his most notable accomplishments was in 1988 when he coached the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to a 12-0 record with a 34-21 win over the West Virginia Mountaineers in the Fiesta Bowl. More importantly, it was during a 2015 Commencement Speech at the Franciscan University of Steubenville that Coach Holtz made a statement that would (or should) affect the lives of all those who attended. Thanks to platforms like YouTube, we all can benefit from one man’s simple six-word quote, “You’re either growing or you’re dying.”
This is also true spiritually. There is no in-between You are either growing or you are dying. We should never stop trying to achieve growth in our spiritual life.
According to the Bible Knowledge Commentary, Paul’s salvation experience had taken place about 30 years before he wrote to the Philippians. He had won many spiritual battles at that time. He had grown much in those years, but he candidly confessed he had not obtained all this, nor was he yet made perfect. He still had more spiritual heights to climb. This testimony of the apostle reminded the saints at Philippi – and it serves to remind believers today – that there must never be a stalemate in their spiritual growth or a plateau beyond which they cannot climb.
I must admit, if I were to look in the mirror and if even for a millisecond thought I had achieved the level of Paul, I would probably be satisfied and by fault of my flesh thought I had arrived. My brothers and sisters, this could not be further from the truth and a lie from the great deceiver. There is only one time when we can say, “I have arrived.” If you are reading this, you can rest assured you have not.
So in love, I ask you today, “Are you growing or are you dying?” Remember, there is no in-between. We must continue to seek growth.
James 1:5 adds, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”