Growing into God’s Nature

“No one born (begotten) of God [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, for God’s nature abides in him [His principle of life, the divine sperm, remains permanently within him]; and he cannot practice sinning because he is born (begotten) of God.” – 1 John 3:9 (AMPC)

Have you ever felt frustrated because you know what’s right, but you still struggle to do it? Even the Apostle Paul experienced this tension, as he shared in Romans 7:15, “I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate” (NLT). This struggle is familiar to many of us as we grow into the fullness of our new identity in Christ. Being born again means God’s nature is within us, but it doesn’t mean we instantly become perfect.

Understanding that we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16) and the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) can sometimes lead to confusion when our daily lives don’t seem to reflect these truths. Having the mind of Christ doesn’t mean we automatically think like Him, and possessing the seeds of love, joy, and peace doesn’t mean we immediately operate in them. Spiritual growth is a process that takes time, effort, and patience.

Think of it like a woman who has just become pregnant. At first, there are no visible signs of the new life growing inside her, but with time, care, and nourishment, the baby develops and becomes evident to the world. Similarly, when we accept Christ, His nature is planted within us. However, it needs to be nurtured and developed before it becomes fully manifest in our lives. We must be patient and trust that God is at work within us, growing us into the likeness of His Son.

Friend, don’t be discouraged by the gap between where you are and where you want to be. The presence of God’s seed within you is a promise of growth and transformation. Stay committed to nurturing your spiritual life through prayer, studying the Word, and being part of a faith community. Over time, you will see the evidence of God’s nature taking root and bearing fruit in your life.

PRAYER
Father, thank you for planting your nature within me when I was born again. I ask for your patience and grace as I grow into the fullness of what you have for me. Help me to nurture the seeds of your Spirit through prayer, studying your Word, and fellowship with other believers. Thank you for the promise that you are working in me, and I trust that, in time, I will see the fruit of your presence in my life. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.