Crucified with Christ: The Seven Steps to Spiritual Maturity Under the Grace of Jesus

Proverbs 22:6: Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Before you can train a child you have to conceive a child. Once you have conceived, then you have to bring to birth. After there is birth there can be growth. It is expected! Growth is normal and healthy. Lack of growth suggest there is a problem and specialty help needs to be requested. Parents are the most influencial persons affecting the lives to newborn children during their formative years. About age 5 the child will begin attending school to advance his/her education of the world around him. After about twelve years of this education and growth he/she will cross the hurdle of "Graduation". At age 18 they are now considered an adult. They may choose more education or occupation, but they are expected to adapt behaviors that come with adulthood. At some point it is normally expected that they will get married and have children. That is what is considered normal. Lack of children is a negative sign. As time progresses they will grow old and eventually die. Hopefully they will have left a good testimony behind. Hopefully they will have been crucified. Now they can experience the full power of the resurrection. Are you with me so far? Now apply all the above to being saved, and born again, and growing in grace. Galatians 2:20: I am crucified with Christ. nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ liveth in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.