like a newborn child desire the milk, sincere, reasonable so that in it you grow up unto salvation... (1 Peter 2:2).
The word for "grow up" αὐξάνω (
auxanō) means to cause to grow or increase. Jesus said do not be anxious but consider the lilies how they grow and consider the mustard seed, small among seeds it grows up larger than all the garden plants and the birds perch in it's branches (Matthew 6:28, Matthew 13:32). The parable of the soils or seed is about growth, when there is good soil the seed grows up to bear fruit (Mark 4:8). The word of the Lord causes growth, "and the word of the Lord caused to grow and the number of disciples increased greatly" (Acts 6:7). Paul writes some plant while others water but it is God that causes growth, "so that neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God is the one who gives the growth" (1 Corinthians 3:6). As children of God, we should crave and desire that which would cause us to grow up into our salvation.
Now,
grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen (2 Peter 3:18).
Gifts of evangelism and teaching are given for the work of ministry so the lost are found and that we "grow up in into him, the one who is the head, Christ" (Ephesians 4:15) Some say the purpose is solely reaching out, but this is not what the scriptures say. Christ was made the head so that he fills all in all, thus he sits at the right hand of God filling all, giving gifts to men for the work of ministry, to grow up the body in Christ, some who bring in the lost others teachers so we mature into adulthood, to the measure of the stature of his image, so we are no longer children (Ephesians 4:10-16) Before we knew Christ our minds were darkened in understanding, now having enlightenment, a spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowing Him, the body is being built up in the knowledge of Him (Ephesians 1: 17-18; 4:13, 17). We grow up in the truth in love, in the grace and knowledge of Jesus.
"... in the word of truth, the gospel, that coming to you just as also in the entire world existing bearing fruit and growing just as also among you from the day you heard and understood the grace of God in truth" (Colossians 1:4-6)
The parable of sowing tells us the plant that bears fruit is the one where the seed has fallen on good soil, these hear and understand the message. The one who hears and doesn't have understanding the devil comes and snatches away the seed sown in his heart (Matthew 13:19). The one without deep roots will not endure persecution and falls away (Matthew 13:20). Worldly anxiety and the deceit of riches will choke out others, causing them not to grow up. How does one look past the circumstances of this earthly life? By faith. This implies increasing in faith, growing up unto salvation. The good soil of having understanding, deep roots of faith and love, and endurance is key to growing up into maturity, bearing fruit (Matthew 13:23). Jesus said for the one who has, more is given and the one having not, even which he has is taken away, this is why he spoke to them in parables because they do see, hear, nor understand. (Matthew 13:12-14)
walk worthy of the Lord, to the extent all pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in insight of God (Colossians 1:10)
The word insight is ἐπίγνωσις (epignōsis) the coming at the knowledge of a thing, ascertainment; a distance perception or impression, acknowledgment, insight. Paul was concerned about the growth of the church at Corinth, he longed to come and receive the gift that they had promised him, "for I am zealous toward you, zealous of God for I betrothed you a single husband to Christ, presenting you a pure virgin" (2 Corinthians 11). Paul hoped to find them mature, that they were sowing in a way that caused growth, "now. the one supplying seed to the sower and bread to the extent food, supplies, and multiplies your seed, also
grows the fruit of your righteousness" (2 Corinthians 9:10). What
grows the fruit of your righteousness? God's word is the seed. Thus God loves a cheerful giver that sows into the lives of others seed which causes growth (2 Corinthians 9:5-6). As we grow in Christ we are filled with the fruit of righteousness and can discern "to the extent that essential so that spotless and blameless on the day of Christ,
filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the extent praise and glory of God" (Philippians 1:9-11) Paul thanked God because the church at Thessalonica was growing in faith abundantly and the love of each for one another abounded (2 Thessalonians 1:3). What is essential is that which is "sincere, reasonable so that in it you grow up unto salvation."
