Growing Spiritually

We have a number of Student Outcome Statements in the category of discipleship, but the focus this week is one that is unique to Christianity. Dalat students grow spiritually by pursuing a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Many religions have spiritual practices, holy books, and rituals. They have specific ways of honoring and respecting the deity or deities in which they believe. In fact, many Christians and Muslims are currently observing a month of fasting. Lent began this week in the Christian tradition, and Ramadan began for Muslims. There are many differences in the purpose and observance of these fasts within the individual faiths, but the calendars happen to align in 2025 which highlights some similarities.

A personal relationship with God is not nearly as common among the major religions of the world. In John 15:15, Jesus said, “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” Friendship with Jesus is not the only important facet of the Christian faith, but it is one of the more unusual pieces. Christians are commanded to love God because he also loved us (1 John 4:19). Many religions are based much more on obedience and reverence than this relationship explained in the Bible.

The other unique aspect of Christianity found in this statement is Jesus Christ. In John 1, the Bible explains that God became flesh and dwelt with humans in the person of Jesus Christ. Not only did Jesus Christ live on the earth, but in John 10:10 he says, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

As we move through this season of Lent, remembering and reflecting on Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for us, I pray that we may each intentionally pursue a relationship with Jesus Christ and experience the abundant life that he offers.