Growing in the Love (First Love Fire Part 8)
When the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus, he painted a powerful picture of what it means to grow in spiritual maturity—not just intellectually, but from the inside out. He called the church to transformation rooted in the love of God and marked by a lifestyle that looks like Jesus. This call still rings true today: to become imitators of God as beloved children.
Faith Is More Than Intellectual
We’re all on a journey of learning and understanding more about God. But Christianity was never meant to live only in our heads. If God is who He says He is—a loving Father after our hearts—then our walk with Him should engage our hearts deeply. Church should be more than a service. It’s meant to be the household of God (1 Timothy 3:15), a place where we encounter Him and grow together as family.
Children Naturally Imitate Their Parents
Pastor Chris shared a vivid illustration from his own life as a dad of five young children. One of the most humbling and beautiful things about parenting is seeing your kids imitate you—for better or worse. Whether it's how they express frustration or how they wake up and open their Bibles after watching their parents do the same, kids naturally mirror what they see.
This is exactly what Paul had in mind when he said:
"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
– Ephesians 5:1–2 (ESV)
Spiritual Growth Is a Process
Paul’s letter emphasizes that spiritual maturity doesn’t happen overnight. Just like a child matures gradually, so too do we. Growing up spiritually means learning to put off the old self and put on the new—casting off darkness and choosing the light of Christ (Ephesians 5:8–10).
As Pastor Chris noted, new life in Christ starts with being born again. It’s not about trying harder; it’s about dying to self and receiving resurrection life through faith in Jesus.
"You must be born again."
– John 3:7 (ESV)
From there, growth happens daily through three simple but powerful needs:
The Word of God (our spiritual food)
The Spirit of God (our living water)
The People of God (our nourishing family)
When we stay connected to these, we will grow.
You’ll Know a Tree by Its Fruit
In a world filled with spiritual confusion, the Bible brings clarity. The gospel draws a clear moral divide between light and darkness. Paul calls out behaviors that are incompatible with life in God’s kingdom—sexual immorality, greed, coarse joking—and says plainly that these things are out of place among saints (Ephesians 5:3–5).
This isn’t about perfectionism. It’s about fruit. Jesus said:
"You will recognize them by their fruits."
– Matthew 7:16 (ESV)
Our lives should reflect our Father. If not, we need to pause and ask honestly: Who am I following? Because whoever we follow, we become like.
"By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother."
– 1 John 3:10 (ESV)
This is not condemnation—it’s an invitation to examine our roots and receive the grace of God that leads to real transformation.
Walking in Love: The True Mark of Maturity
The defining marker of spiritual maturity isn’t how many Bible verses you know or how often you serve at church. The measure is love.
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude..."
– 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 (ESV)
As Pastor Chris vulnerably shared, even on our best days, we fall short. But God’s grace is not just what gets us saved—it’s what grows us up. His love shapes us to become like Him.
We’re not called to live lives of spiritual infancy. We’re called to maturity, to become little Christs—"anointed ones" who carry His presence wherever we go. Whether it’s a grocery store, coffee shop, or workplace, the world is desperate not just to hear about God but to encounter His love through us.
"So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love."
– 1 Corinthians 13:13 (ESV)
Let us be children who imitate our Father well—bearing the fruit of His love in every place we go.
Reflection Questions
In what ways does your life reflect the love and character of your Heavenly Father?
Are there areas in your walk with Jesus where you’re still trying harder instead of surrendering to the power of grace?
How can you intentionally grow in the Word, the Spirit, and connection with God’s people this week?