Spiritual growth is a lifelong journey for Christians. The apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians provides deep insights into how believers can mature in their faith and enjoy the abundant life God desires for them. In this comprehensive blog post, we will explore the key benefits of spiritual growth found in Ephesians and how Christians today can apply Paul’s teachings to become more Christlike.
Introduction
The book of Ephesians provides a wealth of teaching on spiritual growth and what it means to live a life worthy of our calling in Christ. Written around A.D. 60 while Paul was under house arrest in Rome, Ephesians addresses important topics like predestination, grace, unity in Christ, living as new creations, imitating God, and spiritual warfare.
Throughout Ephesians, Paul emphasizes the incredible spiritual blessings believers have in Christ and how growing in faith enables us to walk in the fullness of what God has given us. As we mature spiritually, we gain an eternal perspective and are equipped to handle life’s challenges in a God-honoring way. We live less for self and more for Christ and others.
The key benefits of spiritual growth found in Ephesians include:
- A deeper understanding of God’s grace
- Unity and maturity in Christ
- Living as new creations in Christ
- Having the mind of Christ
- Walking in love
- Living by the Spirit
- Bearing fruit in every good work
Let’s explore each of these benefits and how we can grow spiritually in these areas.
A Deeper Understanding of God’s Grace
In the first three chapters of Ephesians, Paul provides an extended teaching on the grace of God and His eternal purposes accomplished through Christ. He makes it clear that we are saved by grace, not by works, so no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). Our salvation is a gift from God based solely on what Christ did for us on the cross.
Understanding grace is foundational to spiritual growth. The more we comprehend the depths of God’s grace, the more we experience His love and our identity in Christ. As Ephesians 3:17-19 states, grasping Christ’s love leads to being filled with the fullness of God.
To grow in grace:
- Study and meditate on Ephesians 1-3, contemplating the spiritual blessings we have in Christ including election, predestination, redemption, and sealing with the Holy Spirit.
- Pray to gain wisdom and revelation of the hope, riches, and power we have in Christ (Ephesians 1:17-18).
- Thank God daily for saving you by His grace and making you alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5).
- Recall times when you’ve experienced God’s undeserved favor and walk in the freedom of His grace, not legalism.
- Extend grace to others just as God extended it to you.
As we grow in comprehending God’s grace, we become rooted and established in love and filled with the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:17-19). This equips us to walk worthy of our calling in Christ.
Unity and Maturity in Christ
In Ephesians 4, Paul urges believers to “walk worthy of the calling with which you were called” (Ephesians 4:1). An important part of this is striving for unity and maturity in Christ, which Paul emphasizes in Ephesians 4:1-16.
Paul exhorts us to live “with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:2-3). As Christians, we have one Lord, one faith, and one baptism (Ephesians 4:5). But the enemy tries to divide Christ’s body. Growing in maturity and unity counteracts his schemes.
To grow toward unity and maturity:
- Reflect on the one hope we share in Christ and how we can live worthy of this calling (Ephesians 4:1).
- Examine your heart and repent of anything causing disunity like pride, unforgiveness, or selfishness.
- Pursue spiritual gifts and grow in biblical knowledge to become more like Christ (Ephesians 4:12-15).
- Meet regularly with other believers for worship, teaching, fellowship, and prayer.
- Have candid, gracious conversations to address issues causing division.
- Focus on the essentials of the faith while extending grace for minor differences.
As we grow in Christian maturity and unite around Christ, we will no longer be infants tossed about by deceit. Instead, we will know the truth in love and grow up into Christ in all things (Ephesians 4:14-15). This brings stability to our lives and churches.
Living as New Creations in Christ
A key theme in Ephesians is living as new creations in Christ and putting off the old self. Ephesians 4:17–5:21 provides practical instructions on how to live differently than the world as children of the light.
Paul contrasts the old life apart from Christ lived in the futility of one’s mind and corrupted morals (Ephesians 4:17-19) with the new life in Christ enabled by the Holy Spirit. Since we did not save ourselves, we should no longer live for ourselves. We must put off the old self corrupted by lust and deceit and put on our new selves (Ephesians 4:20-24).
To live as a new creation:
- Consider again how Christ’s death and resurrection gave you new life (Ephesians 2:1-10). Thank Him for the radical change.
- Examine areas where you are still living like your old self and confess these to God. Ask the Spirit to empower change.
- Study Ephesians 4-5. Highlight every instruction to “put off” the old self and “put on” the new self. Apply these truths.
- Renew your mind by meditating on biblical truths versus worldly thinking (Ephesians 4:23).
- Avoid activities and relationships causing you to revert to old ways of living. Fill your life with godly pursuits.
- Remember your new identity is in Christ, no longer defined by your past.
As we grow spiritually, we will increasingly live out our new selves in Christ for the glory of God. This brings joy and purpose to life.
Having the Mind of Christ
To live as new creations, Paul says we must be “renewed in the spirit of your mind” and “put on the new self” (Ephesians 4:23-24). A key facet of this transformation is having the mind of Christ. As Philippians 2:5 says, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”
What does it mean to have the mind of Christ? It involves thinking and acting as He would in every situation based on biblical principles. It means humbling ourselves rather than insisting on our own way. It requires putting the interests of God and others above our own.
To develop Christ’s mindset:
- Pray daily for wisdom and perspective aligned with God’s Word rather than cultural influences (James 1:5).
- Regularly read and meditate on the gospels, noting how Jesus responded in various situations. Ask how you should apply His example.
- Contemplate key texts on developing Christlike humility and service like Philippians 2:1-11 and Mark 10:42-45. Journal applications.
- When making decisions, pause to consider what Jesus would do. Yield your desires to His.
- Thank God for opportunities to serve others, reminding yourself “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
As we grow in having the mind of Christ, the Spirit transforms us from the inside out. Our thoughts, words, and actions will increasingly align with God’s truth. Developing Christ’s mindset is key to walking in newness of life.
Walking in Love
In Ephesians 5:1-2, Paul exhorts us to “walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us.” Learning to walk in Christlike love is a lifelong journey. The more we grow in love, the more we become like Jesus.
What does it mean to walk in love? The rest of Ephesians 5 and 6 unpacks key aspects like:
- Rejecting sexual immorality and impurity (Ephesians 5:3-7).
- Living wisely and understanding God’s will (Ephesians 5:15-17).
- Being filled with the Spirit versus being drunk with wine (Ephesians 5:18-20).
- Submitting to one another in reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:21-33).
- Children honoring parents and parents nurturing children (Ephesians 6:1-4).
- Slaves and masters treating each other with dignity and respect (Ephesians 6:5-9).
To walk in greater love:
- Ask God daily to fill you with His love through the Spirit (Romans 5:5).
- As you go through your day, look for small ways to demonstrate Christlike love to people around you.
- Examine any areas where your life is out of alignment with Ephesians 5-6. Confess these and make changes to walk in love.
- Study 1 Corinthians 13 on the attributes of godly love. Reflect on how to better exemplify these.
- Pray for those you struggle to love. Ask God to give you His heart for them.
As we grow in grace-empowered love, we will enjoy deeper connections with God and others. We will become less selfish and more Christlike.
Living by the Spirit
Walking in the Spirit and being filled with the Spirit are keys to spiritual growth highlighted in Ephesians. Paul mentions the Holy Spirit over 10 times in chapters 1-6, emphasizing the Spirit’s vital role in the believer’s life.
Ephesians 5:18 commands, “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.” Being filled with the Spirit contrasts drunkenness which leads to debauchery. When we live Spirit-filled lives, we experience joy, wisdom, gratitude, and self-control.
To walk by the Spirit:
- Know you already have the fullness of the Spirit as a believer. Yield more of your life to His control daily.
- Study how the Spirit empowers and guides believers in Scripture. Understand His ongoing work in you.
- Avoid grieving the Spirit through sin like bitterness and think on things bringing joy and peace (Ephesians 4:30-32).
- Ask the Spirit to produce His fruit in you: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
- Follow the Spirit’s promptings guiding you throughout your day. Walking by the Spirit requires taking steps of faith.
As we learn to live by the Spirit, we grow into mature disciples reflecting Christ. We experience the Spirit’s power and gifts operating through us to bless others.
Bearing Fruit in Every Good Work
Spiritual growth involves progressing toward righteous living and good works. In Ephesians 2:10, Paul says believers are “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” As we grow in Christlikeness, we will increasingly bear godly fruit.
Ephesians 5:8-9 tells us, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth).” Our lives should be full of moral excellence and integrity that point others to Christ.
To bear more spiritual fruit:
- Study Jesus’ teachings on fruit bearing in John 15:1-17. Abide in Christ daily through prayer, Scripture, and fellowship.
- Ask the Spirit to grow His fruit in you from Galatians 5:22-23. Also cultivate fruits like holiness, generosity, and humility.
- Examine any areas of your life not producing good fruit. Repent and make necessary life changes to bear fruit.
- Look for ministry and volunteering opportunities to bless others. Good works often require sacrifice of time and comfort.
- Remember your works do not save you but are the product of salvation. Do good works out of love not compulsion.
As we grow in bearing spiritual fruit in every season of life, we taste the goodness of God and spread His glory in the world.
Conclusion
Spiritual growth is a key theme in the book of Ephesians that still applies to believers today. As we grow in grace, unity, Christlike living, love, the Spirit’s power, and bearing good fruit, we progress toward maturity and experience the abundant life Christ promised (John 10:10). By applying Paul’s teaching in Ephesians, we can grow into the people God created us to be and fulfill His purposes in our families, churches, and communities for His glory.
The journey of faith has ups and downs, but the Spirit enables perseverance. I pray this overview on the benefits of spiritual growth in Ephesians has provided practical advice and encouragement to keep growing no matter where you find yourself today. Our efforts are worth it as we become more like Christ and walk in the good works God prepared for us.
To recap, key takeaways include:
- Comprehending the depths of God’s grace motivates us to live for Him.
- Pursuing unity and maturity strengthens our witness and stabilizes churches.
- We must put off our old selves corrupted by sin and put on our new selves in Christ.
- Developing the mind of Christ transforms how we think, act, and make decisions.
- Walking in love involves practicing all the “one another’s” like forgiving and submitting.
- Living by the Spirit’s power produces spiritual fruit and gifts in and through us.
- Bearing righteous fruit in good works brings light to our dark world.
Let’s determine to keep growing in amazing grace every day, walking by the Spirit’s power toward Christlikeness. As you mature spiritually, revisit this article for encouragement and guidance. Please also share it with others who want to grow. Now may “the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation” as you seek His kingdom first (Ephesians 1:17). God bless you!
