A Daily Increase From God
Our spiritual growth comes from God and is a constant, never-ending process that is not dependent on our feelings.
David Wilkerson emphasizes that spiritual growth often occurs unnoticed, much like physical growth, and is sustained by a constant flow of life from Christ. He explains that believers may not always feel their growth, but as they trust and abide in Jesus, they receive daily nourishment akin to the manna provided to the Israelites in the wilderness. This divine sustenance strengthens their spiritual immunity against sin and fosters a flourishing faith. Wilkerson encourages believers to recognize that their growth is rooted in Christ, who continuously infuses life into their souls, regardless of their feelings.
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Most believers claim to live by faith and not by feelings, but in everyday practice, many do measure their spiritual lives by the way they feel. You may be doing all the right things -- regular Bible reading, diligent prayer -- and still feel like you are not growing in the Lord.
You may be totally oblivious to the tremendous maturing process taking place inside you. Paul likens our spiritual growth to the growth of our bodies, with our souls being nourished in the same way as our physical joints, muscles and fibers. He calls this "[growing] with the increase that is from God" (Colossians 2:19). Such growth comes from the Head. Simply put, as you trust and abide in Christ, a never-ending flow of his life is pumped into your soul.
Jesus is a constant life-force in your being, a living stream that never shuts down. Therefore, his life is constantly being infused into yours, even while you are sleeping. He provides a fresh supply to you every day, no matter how you feel.
How do you think the Israelites survived forty years in the wilderness? They lived on manna, bread sent from heaven. This "angel food" had all the nutrients needed to build up their immune systems and that is why God's people never contracted any of the diseases of Egypt.
So it is with Christ, our manna today. He is the bread sent from heaven and he builds up our spiritual immune systems against sins of all kinds. We may not see the outward signs that this manna is at work in us but God's Word promises that all who love Jesus will grow stronger in their spiritual immunity.
Paul writes, "Rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith ... abounding in it with thanksgiving" (Colossians 2:7). The apostle is telling us, "As you abide in Christ, you will flourish and bloom like a flower budding with life. Jesus' life will burst forth from you."
Sermon Outline
- Our Spiritual Growth is Not Measured by Feelings
- Our Spiritual Growth Comes from God
- Christ is a Constant Life-Force in Our Being
- God Provides a Fresh Supply Every Day
- We Grow Stronger in Spiritual Immunity
- Christ builds up our spiritual immune systems
- We will flourish and bloom like a flower in Christ
Key Quotes
“You may be totally oblivious to the tremendous maturing process taking place inside you.” — David Wilkerson
“As you abide in Christ, you will flourish and bloom like a flower budding with life.” — David Wilkerson
“Jesus is a constant life-force in your being, a living stream that never shuts down.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Trust and abide in Christ, and a never-ending flow of his life will be pumped into your soul.
- Recognize that spiritual growth is not measured by our feelings, but by our faith in Christ.
- Abide in Christ and flourish like a flower, growing stronger in spiritual immunity.