The Benefits of Spiritual Renewal and Growth

What’s the current state of your spirit?

• Excellent (you’re doing great)
• Good (you’re doing well)
• Fair (you’re doing okay)
• Poor (you’re in a slump and your spirit could use some awakening)

Regardless of the current state of your spirit, at some point, you may want to be renewed or grow spiritually. With that, this article will outline the essential steps for doing so.

1. What is Spiritual Renewal?

The description of the human condition is simple: we’re dead in our sins – living in a decaying body separated from God. We need to be brought to life spiritually. To put it another way, we need to be born anew. This is precisely where the master enters the fray. He gave His son so we could have the opportunity to be brought to life spiritually or be born anew.

John 3:16 (NIRV) says:

God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life.

When we decide to follow Christ, we are transformed into a new creation.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) states:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Like a butterfly, we’re transformed.

2. What are the Benefits of Spiritual Renewal?

You can rest assured that the renewing of our spirit is one of God’s highest priorities.

However, it’s important to keep the big picture in mind. While He wants us to be renewed (i.e., transformed through His Son), ultimately, God wants to make everything (including us) new.

As a new creation, God forgives our sins, redeems our lives, crowns us with love and compassion, and satisfies our desires with good things (Psalm 103).

Beyond this, God makes an incredible promise to us.

Revelation 21:3 (NIRV) says:

I heard a loud voice from the throne. It said, “Look! God now makes his home with the people. He will live with them. They will be his people. And God himself will be with them and be their God.”

Wow!

The ultimate benefit of spiritual renewal is spending eternity with God.

Isn’t it awesome to know that God wants to be with us?

3. Spiritual Growth

When a person becomes a follower of Jesus, they move from (spiritual) death to life. Once alive in Christ instead of dead in sin, growth can begin.

Reading, mediating on, and obeying God’s Word are essential for spiritual growth to take place. God’s words are “not” clever sayings like the ones you find inside a fortune cookie. His Word is real, alive, and active.

Hebrews 4:12-13 (NIRV) says:

The word of God is alive and active. It is sharper than any sword that has two edges. It cuts deep enough to separate soul from spirit. It can separate bones from joints. It judges the thoughts and purposes of the heart. Nothing God created is hidden from him. His eyes see everything. He will hold us responsible for everything we do.

Spiritual growth occurs when a person’s heart and mind are transformed.

4. The End Result

Like a plant soaking up a fresh spring rain, we need to soak up God’s Word, be renewed, and grow because in the end:

“‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death.’ And there will be no more sadness. There will be no more crying or pain. Things are no longer the way the used to be.” He who was sitting on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Revelation 21:4-5 (NIRV)

So, where are you when it comes to spiritual renewal and growth?

If you would like God’s help in these areas, you can pray something along these lines…

Jesus, I’m a sinner and fall short of the glory of God. I confess you as Lord. I believe that you paid the price for my sins when you died on the cross and that God raised you from the dead. I want to follow you. I ask that you renew me, transform my heart and mind, and help me grow in and through you.

If you would like to learn more about God’s plan to make everything new, check out my book Rediscovering the Divine: Seeing God in a Whole New Way.