I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. v26
Ezekiel 36:24-27
Each person is different, but here are generally five stages of growth in the journey of the Christian life.
The first is when we live without God. We live as if God doesn’t exist, and maybe even deny Him. We are alive but spiritually dead.
The second is when we are “awakened.” We start looking and searching. We realize there is something missing in our life and we may start reading our Bible, going to church, or praying.
The third is commitment and conversion – when we intentionally decide to follow Jesus. We ask Him to come into our heart, and He becomes the Lord of our life. We are born again. This both a decision on our part, and a work of the Holy Spirit in us.
The fourth is learning what it means to live the life of faith, and rely on God. This stage lasts a life-time. The fifth stage is learning to care about others. It is the journey outwards, reaching out to the needs of others and the world.
For this stage we need a heart transplant. God wants to replace our heart of stone with a heart that feels and cares and is prepared to get involved.
At which stage are you at the moment? How could you grow?
If you are alive you will grow. Death begins where life ends.
Eleanor Doan