One of the most important questions every Christian wrestles with is, “Am I truly growing in my faith?”
Spiritual maturity isn’t just a goal; it’s an ongoing process of becoming more like Jesus in every part of our lives. The Bible makes it clear that genuine faith results in transformation, reflecting Christ’s character, love, and obedience as we fulfill God’s purpose for us (Ephesians 2:8-10).
Spiritual growth involves actively following Christ and emulating His example on a daily basis.
Here are key signs that demonstrate a growing faith and spiritual maturity:
Imitating Christ
As Paul encourages in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”
A growing faith is marked by a sincere desire to follow Christ’s example in our thoughts, words, and actions. This means cultivating Christlike thoughts, having a heart full of compassion, humility, and forgiveness rather than pride, bitterness, or anger.
It means speaking words that bring encouragement, truth, and grace, just as Jesus spoke with love and authority to both comfort the hurting and challenge the self-righteous.
In our actions, imitating Christ involves serving others selflessly, showing kindness to the marginalized, and living with integrity and obedience to God’s will. By aligning our entire being with Christ’s example, we reflect His character and demonstrate that our faith is truly growing.
Loving Others Like Christ
True faith expresses itself in love. 1 John 4:7 reminds us, “Let us love one another, for love is from God.”
When our faith deepens, we love others selflessly and unconditionally, just as Christ loves us. Our society is filled with pain, division, and hatred, sometimes so much that we barely recognize it around us.
Despite this, God’s love for us remains constant and unconditional. He loved us even when we were undeserving, broken, and far from Him, demonstrating the ultimate example of grace and mercy through Jesus Christ.
As our faith grows, we begin to love others in the same selfless and unconditional way. This means choosing kindness over judgment, forgiveness over bitterness, and compassion over indifference, even when it’s difficult.
For example, imagine someone who has hurt or wronged us deeply. A growing faith empowers us to love them not by ignoring the pain, but by seeking reconciliation and extending grace, just as Christ did for us.
Loving like the Gospel reflects a heart transformed by God’s love, showing the world what true faith looks like in action.
Giving Yourself Up Like Christ
Ephesians 5:1-2 calls us to “walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us.”
The Lord’s ultimate act of giving was His sacrifice on the cross, laying down His life to redeem us from sin and restore our relationship with God. He willingly endured suffering and death out of love, putting our needs above His own.
As our faith grows, we too learn to give ourselves up for Christ by surrendering our personal desires, comforts, and ambitions tos follow Him more fully and serve others.
This might look like choosing to forgive someone who’s wronged us, even when it’s difficult, or dedicating time and resources to help those in need instead of focusing solely on ourselves.
For instance, a person growing in faith might volunteer regularly at a shelter, giving their time and energy to uplift others, or they might stand firm in their beliefs despite peer pressure, sacrificing popularity to honor Christ.
These acts of self-giving show that faith is not just belief but a living, active commitment to reflect Christ’s love and sacrifice in everyday life.
Keeping the Commandments of Christ
Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commandments.”
A clear sign of spiritual maturity and growing faith is obedience to God’s commandments, not out of duty or pressure, but from a genuine love and desire to honor Christ. When we truly love Jesus, following His teachings becomes a natural expression of that love, guiding our choices and actions each day.
Keeping God’s commandments can take many forms in daily life. It might mean speaking truthfully even when it’s difficult, showing kindness to those who are different from us, or choosing purity and integrity in our relationships.
It could also look like regularly setting aside time for prayer and worship or forgiving someone who has hurt us instead of holding onto resentment. These everyday decisions reflect a heart that is growing closer to God and committed to living according to His will.
Growing in Holiness Like Christ
1 Peter 1:16 tells us, “Be holy, because I am holy.”
Growing in holiness is a clear indication of our faith’s maturation, as it demonstrates our increasing separation for God’s purposes.
Holiness means living differently from the world, reflecting God’s purity, righteousness, and love in our character and daily choices. It’s evidence that the Holy Spirit is transforming us from the inside out, helping us to overcome sinful habits and pursue a life that honors God.
For example, a person growing in holiness might choose honesty even when lying would be easier or more beneficial. They might avoid harmful gossip, choosing instead to speak words that build others up.
It could also mean practicing self-control in difficult situations, responding with patience and kindness rather than anger or frustration. These everyday choices show a heart striving to live according to God’s standards and demonstrate that faith is truly rooted and growing.
Suffering Like Christ
Finally, 1 Peter 2:21 encourages believers to accept suffering as Christ did: “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example.”
Jesus endured unimaginable suffering, rejection, betrayal, physical pain, and ultimately death on the cross, all to save us from sin and restore our relationship with God. His suffering was not in vain; it was the ultimate act of love and obedience.
Suffering for Christ is a sign of spiritual maturity because it shows that our faith is strong enough to endure hardship without losing hope or turning away from God. It means we are willing to stand firm in our beliefs, even when it leads to criticism, rejection, or hardship.
To suffer for Christ can look like facing persecution for your faith, standing up for biblical truths in a culture that opposes them, or enduring personal trials with trust in God’s plan.
Signs that we are suffering for Christ include being misunderstood or rejected because of our faith, experiencing opposition when we live according to God’s commands, or facing challenges that test our commitment to follow Jesus.
When we endure these trials with patience and faith, we reflect Christ’s example and demonstrate that our spiritual growth is deepening.
Closing Thoughts
Growing in faith is a transformative journey marked by becoming more like Christ in every aspect of our lives. It begins with imitating His compassion, humility, and selfless actions, reflecting His love in our thoughts, words, and deeds.
True faith is revealed through loving others unconditionally, even in a world filled with pain and division, mirroring the grace God has shown us.
Together, these signs reveal a faith that is not static but alive, continually growing, shaping us into the image of Christ, and equipping us to live out His love and truth in the world.
As we strive to embody these qualities, we demonstrate that our relationship with God is deepening and our commitment to Him is firmly rooted.
