One Sure Way to Measure Your Spiritual Growth

How do you measure your spiritual growth?

For many of us, we measure it by our church attendance, how much or how often we pray, or if we have read our Bible that day. All those things are great but there is a better way to measure our spiritual growth.

It’s simple.

It’s profound.

And if we really grasp it, we can change the world.

Our spiritual growth is measured by our love.

Love is the measuring tape.

So how deep is your love today? 

How’s your love life going? And I’m not talking about a significant other. I’m talking about the love of God inside your heart.

* Is it growing? Is it stagnant?

*Do you love God more this month than you did last month?

* Do you love yourself? How can we love our neighbors if we don’t even love ourselves?

‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:39

* Are you more forgiving and tolerant because of love?

* Do you love your spouse more than when you first married –or have you let bitterness or apathy take root instead?

* Do you truly care about the souls of others, even that maniac driver who just cut you off?

Do you long to love the world like Jesus?

I do.

But the truth is I don’t. I have conditional, temperamental love. Sure, I see love in my heart. Love for God, my family, myself, and others, but I also see things like resentment, jealousy and fear. I thought perfect love casts out all fear? Hmm.

My life goal is to have an amazing love life. You? I mean after all, who doesn’t love a good romance?

Love stories change lives. Think Titanic or Gone with the Wind or The Notebook.  Our love stories can change lives too. But first we must receive the depths of God’s love for ourselves.

Have you received God’s love yet? Do you believe Jesus died because of His love for you personally?

If not, what a perfect place to jump start your spiritual growth.

Start with love.

I am.

Father God, help us stop measuring our spiritual growth by the check lists, instead help us measure our lives by love and love alone. Your love, Jesus. Help us receive Your love for ourselves and then teach us to love. We want to live out amazing love stories that drawn others to You. Amen

( For further reflection or study, please read all about love from 1 Corinthians 13.)