heaven? what?
August 28th, 2006 by boon
I was facilitating a bible study group for young teens the other day. We were studying about Spiritual Growth. And as usual, everyone struggles to see how their faith takes place in their daily life, as though going through the motions without thinking anymore.
What is our reward for spiritual growth? So what if everyone agrees we need it? What’s the point of agreeing if we don’t know what it’s for? It becomes religious, ritualistic.
Then a bright spark asked what the difference was between salvation and spiritual growth. No, in fact he asked what happens if you just have salvation without spiritual growth. And that was a really good question, not because the answer wasn’t just plain obvious… but because it pointed to the very essence of why we need spiritual growth.
It’s about that relationship with God.
Everyone, even Christians, tend to equate the sum of Christianity to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. There’s nothing wrong with that. But what’s left after you get that free ticket to heaven? And what’s so great about heaven anyway?
And that’s the point. The great reward in heaven is this God that you more than just get along with. It’s kind of like the member of the opposite sex you totally fell in love with forever and ever… and lived happily ever after, but without the happily.
I omit the ‘happily’ because spiritual growth isn’t a walk in the park. Just like how living with your spouse that you love really stretches you, so does a relationship with God (except the part where God is always right).
For a Christian, to not struggle is akin to not knowing God. For God is the kind of guy who like a football coach, a passionate lover, a humble mum, a jealous king, all rolled into one. Walking with God is always filled with non-boring stuff. And that’s what spiritual growth is all about.