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Partly cloudy skies. High 66F. Winds light and variable..
Clear to partly cloudy. Low 43F. Winds light and variable.
Updated: November 12, 2025 @ 11:53 pm
Bro. Bob Hardison
Bro. Bob Hardison
Don’t quit on the Christian faith, grow in it
Q: I’m thinking about quitting on the Christian faith. I was told if I accepted Jesus by faith, I would live an abundant life. I waited for it to happen, but my life is primarily one of guilt and shame for my shortcomings. Because I’m unhappy, can I stop being a Christian?
You and other believers with similar thoughts about the Christian faith don’t need to stop being a Christian, but you need to make a concerted effort to grow toward spiritual maturity. God intends for every one of His children to grow past childish foundational elements of the faith such as repentance and beginning faith. “Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness” (Heb. 5:13).
To experience the abundant life Christ gives, believers need to grow toward character transformation by internalizing Bible teachings and living them out. Amassing information isn’t the goal instead it is living out biblical teachings.
You grow spiritually when you move from “Jesus loves me” to “I will love others the way Jesus loves me.” It occurs when you grow past “God gave me the gift of salvation” to “I will give away what I have to serve others.” In short, you need to grow up from beginning faith to meatier discipleship demands. The journey brings an abundant life, but it takes a prolonged and concerted effort. But, take courage! God will sustain you as you strive to grow in your relationship with Him and as you serve others.
Dr. Bob Hardison is the retired Pastor of Sebree First Baptist Church.
Bro. Bob Hardison
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