God Wants to Grow Me

In review of Romans 8:29 it says, ”From the very beginning God decided that those who came to him—and all along he knew who would—should become like his Son” (TLB).

Today’s verse comes from Romans 8:18-30 where Paul tells me about my future glory. Yet what I suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to me later. Besides, if I already had something, I wouldn't need to hope for it. But if I look forward to something I don't have yet, then I must wait patiently and confidently for it. God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to his purpose. For God knew me in advance, and he chose me to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn around many brothers and sisters. And having called me, he gave me the right standing with himself. And having given me right standing, he gives me his glory.

God's ultimate goal for me is to make me more like Christ. As I become more and more like Christ, I discover my true self, the person I was created to be. I can become more like Christ by reading and heading the Word, by studying Christ life on earth through the Gospels, by spending time in prayer, by being filled with his Spirit, and by doing his work in the world.

God's purpose for me was not an afterthought; it was settled before the foundation of the world. I am to serve and honor God. God has always known me and his love is eternal. His wisdom and power are supreme. He will guide and protect me until I stand in his presence.

So God created me to become like Christ. He wants me to grow up spiritually!

The Bible says, “From the very beginning God decided that those who came to him—and all along he knew who would—should become like his Son” (Romans 8:29 TLB). God’s goal has always been to make me like himself—not to become a god but to become godly, with godly character.

The things I go through happen to help me grow up spiritually. Everything in life is designed to help me grow up spiritually—the good, the bad, the ugly, the stuff I bring on myself, and the stuff that others do to me. God is not the author of evil. But God can bring good out of bad things.

Instead of asking, “why is this happening?” ask, “God, what do you want me to learn from this?” Every situation in life will either make me bitter or better. I choose how I will respond to it.

Every problem has a purpose, and the purpose is to help me grow up spiritually to be more like Jesus Christ.

If my purpose is to grow up and become like Jesus, what is Jesus like? The Bible calls the fruit of the Spirit. It says, “He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23 TLB). These are the qualities God wants to build in my life.

God teaches me these qualities by putting me in the exact opposite situation. He teaches me love by putting me around unlovely people. He teaches me joy in the middle of grief. God teaches me peace in the middle of chaos. He teaches me patience at the DMV!

God will teach me all of these qualities throughout my life—and it will take the rest of my life. It’s a process. He will use all kinds of situations in my life to help me develop spiritual depth and become more like Christ.

Bottom Line:

God knew in advance and chose me to become like his Son.

What this means to me:

God had already chosen me and has set me apart to become like his Son.

In summary, what I experience (suffer) today, is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to me later I must wait patiently and confidently for it. God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to his purpose. God's ultimate goal is to make me more like his Son (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.). Therefore the things that I go through happen to help grow me. My response should not be why is this happening, but what do you want me to learn from it. God teaches me these qualities by putting me in the exact opposite situation. It's all a process and will not end until I'm with him in eternity.

Father thank you for the reminder today that what I experience and the challenges I have are here to grow and train me. I need to ask what do you want me to learn from it. Given this, I pray Father that you will grant me wisdom and guidance in those things I am responsible for. Help me become a servant leader who can make a difference. Help me respond rightly in relationships. Help me develop the fruit of the Spirit. In your Son Jesus name I ask this, amen!