There is an area on the garage wall that is marked by many precious memories. Drawing closer and closer, you will be able to read the very small writing. There is name and a date, written next to a horizontal line. There are many such markings documenting children’s growth through the years. Those markings are very special to me because they reflect the growth of our children and a number of grandchildren. 

Physical growth is special, but even more precious is spiritual birth and ensuing growth. The biblical term for growing in Christ-likeness is sanctification.  Physical growth is fairly easy given normal health and feeding. Sanctification however is a whole different process. 

First, it isn’t automatic like physical growth. Sanctification must be purposeful. I expect most have met people who said they were believers, yet their life did not back up their words. Usually, when someone comes to Christ, they do not have a life that resembles a Christian. Sanctification is a process that takes time and doing things that spur spiritual growth. Often someone might say to me, “I got saved a long time ago.” But as they share their life, there is no evidence of sanctification. When I probe a bit, I find out they don’t read a Bible, they don’t go to church, and they have no desire for growth in Christ.

“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:5-8).

We must be purposeful in learning of Christ, and living for Him Who died for us. Then, we strive to lead our children so that once saved, they grow in Christ as well.