As mentioned in the previous post, the training mentality expects a certain amount of failure and uses it to measure progress. The training way of life drives, endures and perseveres.
Jesus didn't say, "Try to follow me". He said, "Follow me".
Training is a combination of diet, exercise and time. Spiritual training that leads to growth has the same components.
Diet
Meet with God in as many ways as possible, pursuing worship as a lifestyle. Ask God to meet your deepest hunger. Experience God's presence through worship. Taking spiritual nourishment by reflecting on God's word and Biblical teaching from qualified teachers. Spiritual food needs to be as regular as physical food, not just when you're hungry. This kind of diet offers ultimate satisfaction.
Exercise
Prayer is to spiritual life what breathing exercises are to correct performance. Attentive Bible reading is like weight lifting for strength and physical development. Relationships with other believers and participation in the local church are your Running Partners to enhance your endurance. Application and obedience of God's Word are the fundamentals you practice to run the race.
Time
You need a commitment of time, exposing yourself to the fundamentals listed above for the long term. You need a commitment to time, faithfully waiting and expecting God to do his part (the biggest part!) in bringing about spiritual maturity. It's God who makes things grow (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).
In a nutshell, lasting spiritual growth comes from trusting what God will do, waiting for God to do it, and doing our part faithfully in the meantime.
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation. (1 Peter 2:2)
[From the MANual, the NIV Bible for Men]
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