Spiritual Progress Comes In Stages
The Lord is the source of our progress and delights in our advancement. We are told that our progress comes from the Lord (Ps 37:23, Harrison) and He is even called the Father of progress (Isa 9:6, Rotherham alt.). He enables us to make progress (Hab 3:19, AB-1st ed) by making us willing and able to obey Him (Phil 2:13). God is pleased when we make progress (Ps 37:23, JB).
Nevertheless, we are not simply passive recipients of the progress He provides. Rather, we have our part if we would progress. This is why the apostle Paul urged the Thessalonian Christians to make even greater progress in living in a God-honoring way (1 Thess 4:1, JB). The Lord requires us to make progress. Our part is to expect it (2 Cor 3:18, Beck), and to trustingly obey Him (Ps 37:34, Norlie). We must also improve our knowledge of His word since lack of progress in His word is the reason Jesus gives for why the religious sought to kill Him (Jn 7:37, NASB alt.).
Spiritual progress comes in stages. For instance, the Israelites travelled in stages from Egypt to the Promised Land (Ex 17:1, NEB). Each stage is based on faithfulness in the previous stage and prepares us for future stages. Thus, we can not only hinder our own progress, but also the progress of others if we allow obstacles to not be removed in our own life’s stage or if we put such obstacles in the life of another believer. We must determine to not to make it unnecessarily difficult for another to make spiritual progress (Rom 14:13, Bruce, Letters of Paul). If we listen, the Holy Spirit will show us how to avoid this with each person.
Comforting others is costly but worth it.