How Do You Know If You’re Actually Growing as a Christian?

When my son was a baby, we celebrated everything.

The first time he rolled over. His first steps. His first words. Learning to feed himself. Every new milestone was exciting because it meant one thing: he was growing.

Babies are wonderful. But babies are supposed to grow up.

The Bible says the same thing about Christians.

In Ephesians 4, Paul says God’s desire is for us to “attain to mature manhood” and then tells us we should “no longer be children” but instead “grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” (Ephesians 4:13–15).

In other words, the goal of Christianity isn’t just to become a Christian. The goal is to become like Christ.

So here’s a question worth sitting with, even if it stings a little:

Does your life look more like Jesus today than it did five years ago?

Not: Do you attend church?

Not: How long have you been a Christian?

Not even: How much Bible do you know?

Those things matter. But Christian maturity is ultimately measured by what we’re becoming, not just what we know or how often we show up.

Before you answer, one thing worth remembering: growth is usually slow, and God is patient with you in it. This isn’t a pass/fail test you’re taking today. It’s a question meant to help you notice direction. 

Think about your life five years ago:

• Are you more patient now? 
• More generous? 
• Quicker to forgive? 
• Slower to anger? 
• More willing to serve? 
• Do you know Scripture better than you used to? 
• Do you pray more naturally? 
• Are you better at recognizing temptation and resisting it? 
• Are you becoming a better spouse, parent, friend, neighbor, and coworker because you follow Jesus?

We’re meant to become like Jesus in every part of life—our thinking, our work, our reactions, our relationships, our spending, our words, our integrity, our courage, our forgiveness, our humility. Not just the parts that show up on Sunday.

So how do we actually grow?

1. Get around God’s Word.

2. Get around God’s people.

3. Practice what you’re learning.

4. Keep going.

Growth is usually slow. You probably won’t notice much difference tomorrow. But ordinary faithfulness, compounded over years, produces extraordinary change.

A strong tree doesn’t grow deep roots overnight. So don’t be discouraged because you haven’t arrived. But don’t get comfortable standing still, either.

There’s nothing wrong with being a baby Christian when you’re new to Jesus. There is something worth examining about deciding to stay one.

Jesus saved us as we are. But He intends to make us like Him.

So keep reading. Keep praying. Keep gathering. Keep learning. Keep obeying. Keep repenting.

And little by little, by the grace of God: grow up.