This blog is adapted from a sermon I gave at my Preaching I class at Dallas Theological Seminary, Spring 2025.

Have you ever been assigned a book you weren’t exactly excited to read?

Years ago, my college small group got handed a “spiritual growth classic” (that no one had ever heard of) called The Green Letters by Miles J. Stanford. To this day, I’m not sure if it’s actually a classic, because I’ve never heard anyone ever mention this book since then. But we were hopeful. Expecting something fresh and relatable. But the moment we opened it? Disappointment. It felt ancient—like we needed a translator just to get through the King James quotes (No shade if you love the KJV! I’m just keeping it real . . . it was a challenge for us).

But one chapter title caught my eye: Appropriation.

I grew up in church. I thought I had a solid grip on Christianity 101. But that word? It was brand new to me. Stanford explained that appropriation isn’t about gaining something new—it’s about taking hold, by faith, of what’s already yours in Christ. It’s not hustling for more blessings. It’s not name and claim it. It’s not a call to climb higher or try harder. It’s an invitation to walk in the power, identity, and riches you already possess in Jesus. It’s realizing you’ve already been given every spiritual blessing in Christ . . . and then living like it. Because it’s reality.

And honestly? Most of us don’t do that.

We live like spiritual beggars sitting on spiritual riches. We study Scripture. We serve. We teach. We put a verse in our bio on Instagram or TikTok. Maybe you’re like me and you even preach! Yet, we often forget to live from what’s already been secured for us in Christ. That’s when ministry gets exhausting. That’s when “Christianity” gets exhausting. That’s when spiritual practices feel more like performance than presence. Spiritual practices become an act of “completion rather than connection” (as my pastor “TA” says).

But Ephesians 1 shows us a different way.

When Paul prays for the Ephesian believers—people already known for their faith and love—he doesn’t ask God to give them more. Which is incredibly interesting, because these people were doing it right. They had a good Christian reputation (or so we’d say in our day). Paul asks God to help them grasp what they already have. Because spiritual maturity isn’t about getting something new. It’s about living into what’s already yours in Jesus. So even though the Ephesians were doing the right things, THEY WERE STILL MISSING SOMETHING! GOD HAD MORE FOR THEM!

Let me show you five ways Paul says we grow up in Christ

1. We Grow in Gratitude when we Recognize God at Work in Others “I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers…” (Ephesians 1:16)

Paul kicks off his prayer with thanks. But not generic thanks. He’s thanking God specifically for the Ephesians—for their real, visible faith and their love for others. It’s a small detail, but it tells us something profound: growing in Christ means you start noticing grace in other people. Grace is God’s undeserved kindness—His choice to love, forgive, and bless us, not because we’ve earned it, but because of who He is. And when you see God’s grace at work, we shouldn’t critique it. We should celebrate it.

That’s evidence of spiritual maturity.

Paul didn’t just see people; he saw evidence of God at work in them. And that filled him with gratitude—not because they were perfect, or had it all together, but because God was clearly moving.

I remember once asking a pastor I looked up to (and I knew was a very busy guy) to give me feedback on a sermon I was working on. He sent me a voice memo full of insights and encouragement, even while I could hear his family in the background. It hit me: his teaching gift, his servant heart, his leadership—it wasn’t just impressive. It was a gift from God. He was being generous to me, through his time! And that realization stirred up genuine gratitude in me, not just for his help, but for what God was doing through him—for all the ways in which he was using his gifts to further the kingdom through not just his own opportunities but by supporting me with mine. I bought him a thank-you gift—not out of obligation, but out of overflow.

That’s what gratitude does. It moves us. It softens cynicism. It rewires the way we talk about other girls, churches, leaders, and ministries. Because let’s be honest: we are quick to criticize. We’re quick to compare ourselves to other girls on social media or tear down others in our thought life. We scroll, analyze, judge—often before we pray. But Paul challenges that. Gratitude means looking for God’s fingerprints on someone else’s life . . . and giving thanks.

2. We Grow in Knowledge When We Rely on the Spirit to Reveal, Not Just Books to Inform

“…that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ… may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him…” (Ephesians 1:17)

Paul’s not praying for unbelievers here. He’s praying for people already walking with Jesus. People who probably knew Scripture well. And yet, he still prays they would grow in knowledge—not just head knowledge, but Spirit-empowered understanding of who God is and how He works.

There’s this old saying: “The Bible is shallow enough for a child to wade and deep enough for a theologian to drown.” I love that. Because it reminds me that no matter how many Bible degrees I earn or how long I’ve been in ministry, or how many episodes you’ve listened to of your favorite Christian podcast, or how long you’ve been going to church, or how many Christian books you’ve read, we never graduate from needing the gospel.

The gospel is the good news that even though we’ve all messed up and fallen short of God’s standard, He didn’t leave us stuck in our sin. God sent His Son, Jesus, to live the perfect life we couldn’t, die the death we deserved, and rise again to give us new life. Through faith in Jesus—not our performance, not our church attendance, not our good behavior—we’re forgiven, made whole, and brought into a relationship with God that starts now and lasts forever. It means you don’t have to earn your worth, fix yourself, or figure life out on your own. Jesus has already done the work—your role is to trust Him and walk with Him.

It’s easy to fall into this subtle trap, especially in the spaces I’m in as a seminary student. We start treating the gospel like academic content instead of spiritual power! Sure, my eternity is secure, but what does this mean in my day-to-day life? We diagram the Greek, ace the quizzes, and still feel dry. Because growth isn’t about information—it’s about revelation. About surrendering to the Spirit who opens our eyes.

We can fall into this trap in any season of life. Maybe you’re newly married, building a home, or juggling work, friendships, and a growing to-do list. Baby on the way? Or desperately hoping one will be soon? You’re still doing your quiet time, still showing up at church, maybe even leading a small group—but if you’re honest, it can start to feel like you’re just checking boxes. The gospel becomes something you know rather than something that moves you. But spiritual growth was never meant to be just about gaining more knowledge—it’s about letting the Holy Spirit reveal more of Jesus to you as you also connect with Him. But that primarily happens when we slow down, listen, and surrender.

I think of it like a parent teaching a child to read. The letters are there. The words are visible. But unless someone helps the child see how it all comes together, it’s just a page of symbols. The child might know the alphabet and they might even know some of the smaller words, but they can’t learn to read a full sentence, with larger words, unless someone helps them! They can’t teach themselves to read! The Holy Spirit is our helper, our divine tutor, guiding us deeper into knowing the God who already knows us fully.

So ask yourself: Is your spiritual activity (quiet times, bible studies, small group, etc.) marked by Spirit dependence or solo determination?

3. We grow in Clarity when We See What’s Already Unshakable

“…having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you…” (Ephesians 1:18)

When Paul talks about “the eyes of your heart,” he’s not being poetic. He’s being practical. He’s praying for spiritual clarity—the kind that helps you see reality through God’s lens. To know, without question, the hope and riches that are already yours.

I’ll never forget this moment during a discipleship program I was in. On the first day, someone stood up and tried to quote a verse from memory. He fumbled. Stumbled. Ended up paraphrasing instead of quoting. That’s when our pastor stopped and said, “You need to know Scripture like you know your name—immediately, clearly, without confusion.”

That line stuck with me. Because Paul’s not praying the Ephesians would know about hope—he’s praying that they’d grasp it, like their own name. That the believers in Ephesus would understand their eternal future was already secured, and that they’d been given spiritual riches to sustain them in that present moment.

A few months ago, I was facing a big decision—one of those where no matter how many pros and cons lists you make, clarity just doesn’t come easily. I prayed. I sought wise counsel. I journaled until my hand cramped. But the outcome was still foggy. And it was frustrating. Because I wanted certainty. I wanted God to drop a clear “yes” or “no” into my inbox.

But instead of giving me a five-year plan, God gave me something better: peace.

Even though I didn’t know what would happen next, I knew what wasn’t changing—His presence with me, His promises to me, and my hope in Him. That’s the kind of clarity Paul is praying for. Not clarity about every next step, or the next “5-year plan,” but clarity about what’s already true. What’s already yours. Jesus doesn’t always reveal the full picture—but He never leaves you to figure it out alone.

4. We grow in Confidence When We Rest in His Power, Not Our Performance

“…the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe…” (Ephesians 1:19)

Immeasurable. That’s not a word Paul uses lightly.

He’s talking about resurrection power. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is already at work in you. Not just someday. Not just in the big, dramatic moments. Right now. In your studies. Your ministry. Your relationships.

But let’s be real: sometimes, it doesn’t feel that way. You feel weak. Overwhelmed. Inadequate. You wonder if you can actually handle the weight of your calling or your calendar or your job or your family or your marriage or your parenting.

Paul gets that. That’s why he’s praying you’d be confident—not in yourself, but in the Spirit’s power within you.

This isn’t motivational speaking. It’s theology. It’s gospel truth!

Jesus didn’t just die for you—He rose to live in you—to do life with you! And now, every ounce of spiritual growth in your life is fueled by His strength. When you feel tired, doubtful, insecure—go back to this: the Spirit’s power isn’t a side effect of salvation. It’s the engine of transformation.

5. Our awareness of our Identity Grows When we Remember Who e Belong To

“…the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” (Ephesians 1:22–23)

You don’t need to DTR with Jesus. The relationship is already defined. If you’re in Christ, you are His. Period.

Paul reminds us that we are the body of Christ—and He is our Head. That means you have a place. You have purpose. And you’re already filled by the One who fills everything.

But identity is one of the easiest things to forget. Especially when you’re chasing success. Be it success in that “big girl job” you’re absolutely crushing, success in grad school, success as new wife or new mom, or even success in conceiving a child. We forget our identity. And it’s sad. It’s heartbreaking. We start to think we are both our biggest achievements and our greatest disappointments.

But growing in Christ means becoming more certain—not less—of who you are. You’re His. You’re empowered by His Spirit. You have a role that matters, and it’s not up for debate. That identity isn’t determined by your circumstance, situation, or success, it’s determined by Him and Him alone.

So, What Now?

Spiritual maturity isn’t about gaining something new—it’s about grasping what’s already yours in Christ.

That’s what Miles Stanford called appropriation. And while that old book felt ancient at the time, the truth inside it has only become more relevant.

You don’t need to “level up” spiritually. You need to embrace what’s already true.

Gratitude. Knowledge. Clarity. Confidence. Identity.

All of it has already been given to you in Jesus.

So don’t outgrow the gospel.

Take hold of it.

It’s yours.