Growing Up Loving Jesus

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. -2 Peter 3:18

Although, as a child, I sometimes went to church, I didn’t grow up in the church. I didn’t come to the Lord until I was an adult, so it would seem that I didn’t grow up loving Jesus. 

However, in post-salvation years, age doesn’t matter. A child well-versed in Scripture can be as mature in Christ as an adult who has just begun their walk of faith. Growing up loving Jesus is a process. 

5 Evidences of Growing in Jesus

1.  We desire time with Him– as with any relationship, the more time we spend with Jesus, the more we want to know about Him. We can learn more about Jesus by studying the Bible. (Luke 24:32)

2.  We desire to please Him– when we get to know Jesus, we begin to want to do things for Him, maybe change our priorities, change our bad habits, or change our way of thinking. Some of these things are simple and done right away, but other things we want to do to please Jesus require His help. (Colossians 3:23-24)

3.  We desire to share His love with others– as our love increases for Jesus, we can’t help but share that love with others. We learn that a relationship with Jesus is the answer to any problem, and we know our friends and family who are going through difficult times need His love and protection. (Psalm 46:1-3)

4.  We desire to love Him more– Jesus came to fulfill the will of the Father, to be the sacrifice for sinners like you and me. He gave His life so we could have eternal life. And now He is preparing us a place to live with Him in glory. Absorbing the implications of His sacrifice, how can we not love Him more and more? (Isaiah 53:5)

5. We desire to do His will– as our love for Jesus increases, so will our desire to be like Him. His purpose was always to obey the Father and complete His will. That must become our purpose also, trusting that God’s will is always for our good and His glory. (Romans 12:1-2)