Boundless Daily: Day 34: Growing in Grace

Welcome to Day 34.

If you have been following along with this series, you have already spent over a month walking intentionally with Jesus. That is a huge milestone.

Whether you feel like a "spiritual giant" today or you feel like you are barely holding on, there is one thing you need to know: God is not finished with you yet.

Today, we are talking about growth. Specifically, we are talking about growing in grace.

For many of us, the word "growth" sounds like hard work. It sounds like a checklist. We think about growing our bank accounts, growing our careers, or growing our muscles at the gym. In those areas, growth is usually about what we do.

But in the Kingdom of God, growth is a bit different. It starts with grace.

What is Grace?

Before we can grow in it, we have to understand what it is.

At Boundless Online Church, we like to keep things simple. Grace is God’s unmerited favor. It is a gift you didn't earn and a kindness you don't deserve.

In the Assemblies of God, we believe that salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. This is one of our Fundamental Truths, that we are saved by grace through faith.

Think of grace as the soil.

When you first decided to follow Jesus, a seed was planted in your heart. That seed is your new life in Christ. But a seed cannot grow if it’s sitting on a concrete sidewalk. It needs nutrient-rich soil.

Grace is that soil. It provides everything the seed needs to become what God intended it to be.

Step 1: Stop Trying to Earn It

The biggest hurdle for new Christians is the "Performance Trap."

We often think, "Okay, God saved me. Now I have to be perfect so He stays happy with me."

We start acting like we are on a probationary period with Heaven. We think that if we pray long enough or read enough chapters of the Bible, God will love us more.

Here is the truth: You cannot make God love you more than He does right now.

Growing in grace means moving away from "I have to" and moving toward "I get to." You don’t read your Bible to earn points; you read it because you want to know the Father who already loves you.

If you want to dive deeper into how God communicates His love through His Word, check out our post on Inspired Truth: The Gift of God’s Word.

Step 2: Feed Your Soul with the Word

If grace is the soil, then the Word of God is the water.

A plant can be in the best soil in the world, but without water, it will eventually wither.

The Bible is not just a history book or a set of rules. It is living and active. It is the inspired Word of God: our first Fundamental Truth. It is the final authority for how we live and what we believe.

For a new Christian, the Bible can feel overwhelming. You don’t have to read the whole thing in one sitting.

Start small. Read a few verses in the Morning. Think about them during your lunch break. Talk to God about them before you go to sleep.

When you fill your mind with Scripture, you are watering the seed of faith in your heart. You’ll find that your reactions start to change. Your perspective starts to shift. That is growth.

Step 3: Walk in the Power of the Spirit

You were never meant to do this alone.

One of the most beautiful parts of our faith is the promise of the Holy Spirit. We believe that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is a gift for every believer.

The Spirit is like the sunlight for our growing plant. Sunlight provides the energy for photosynthesis: the process that actually makes the plant grow.

The Holy Spirit gives us the power to live a life that honors God. He gives us "spiritual fruit" like love, joy, peace, and patience.

When you feel stuck, or when you feel like you aren't "growing" fast enough, ask the Holy Spirit for help. It’s His job to empower you. You don’t have to manufacture holiness on your own strength.

You can learn more about how we connect with God’s power by listening to the Boundless Podcast.

Step 4: Stay Connected to the Body

Plants don't usually grow well in total isolation. They exist in ecosystems.

As a follower of Jesus, you are part of a global family. We call this the Church: the Body of Christ. This is another one of our core beliefs. The Church isn't a building; it's a people on a mission.

Growing in grace happens best when you are around other people who are also growing.

We need each other. We need people to pray for us when we are weak. We need people to celebrate with us when we have a victory. We need people to remind us of the truth when we forget.

If you are looking for a place to connect, we invite you to join us for Sunday Live Worship. It’s a great way to be part of a community no matter where you are in the world.

Step 5: Give Yourself Permission to be a "Work in Progress"

Growth is rarely a straight line.

If you look at a plant every single hour, you might think nothing is happening. But if you look at it once a week, you see the change.

There will be days when you mess up. You might lose your temper. You might slip back into an old habit. You might feel like you’ve taken two steps backward.

In those moments, remember: You are still in the soil of grace.

God is a gardener who is very patient. He doesn't rip up the plant just because a leaf turned brown. He prunes, He waters, and He keeps nurturing.

Sanctification: which is just a fancy word for "becoming more like Jesus": is a lifelong process. It doesn't happen overnight. It happens day by day, choice by choice.

Practical Steps for This Week

If you want to focus on growing in grace this week, here are three simple things you can do:

1. Morning Breath Prayer: Before you get out of bed, simply say, "God, thank You for Your grace today. Help me to walk in it."

2. One Verse a Day: Pick one verse about God’s love and keep it on your phone or a sticky note.

3. Reach Out: If you’re struggling, don’t hide. Reach out to a Christian friend or join an online group.

If you’re new to all of this and wondering where to start, our I'm New page is designed specifically for you.

You Are Not Alone

Growing can be uncomfortable. It requires stretching. It requires letting go of the old to make room for the new.

But it is the most rewarding journey you will ever take.

As we move forward in this Boundless Daily series, keep your eyes on Jesus. He is the author and the finisher of your faith. He started this work in you, and He is faithful to see it through to completion.

We are so glad you are part of this community. We are growing right alongside you.

Do you have questions about your journey or what it means to grow in faith? We would love to hear from you. There are no "silly" questions when it comes to following Jesus. We are all learning together.

Keep seeking. Keep growing. Keep leaning into the grace that has already set you free.

Boundless Online Church is a ministry of FA Memphis.

Need prayer? Text 1-901-213-7341 (message & data rates may apply). Not for emergencies.