Isaiah's Post - Number One

Marks of Growing in Christ:

The question before us was: how do we know we are growing in Christ? After some discussions we came up with a certain list of general traits which we see in ourselves and our mentors that mark growing in Christ.
The first is a deepening desire to be like Christ. However it looks, it is the ever-increasing internal drive to be like Christ. The second trait, which follows logically, is Christ-like character. This does not mean perfect. Rather this means the shaping of our personalities to contain mercy, humility, endurance and overall a passion for reconciliation. We mean by passion for reconciliation the great want to see all people to be at peace with God and with each other, to the point where we both weep when it does not occur and rejoice when it does.
Beyond that inner character we talked about external signs. For example conversations become increasingly centred around Christ. Another example is our consciousness become aware of social issues. Thirdly we distance ourselves from more obvious sins, those things which are obviously wrong (murder, robbery etc). And finally our thoughts become clear, we experience that transformed mind that we read about in Romans 12:2.
Because of all these things, particularly clarity in thought, we are able to read the scriptures with fresh eyes. Histories, prophecies, psalms, proverbs, gospels and epistles seem more understandable, less boring (which, as teenagers, we sometimes feel if we are honest) and applicable to life situation. We can find ourselves in ministry positions and suddenly understand something that Jesus says or Paul advises.
I personally have one disappointment in the process: time. We, if my memory serves me right, only had fifteen minutes to discuss. The topic was so huge we needed more time.