We are continuing to examine the top ten indicators that signify if we are growing in the Lord.  So far we have examined our change of appetites and gaining a disgust for shameful activities.  Now we are going to examine two positive indicators we should possess. 

      3.  A Genuine Love For Other believers!  Jesus emphatically told His disciples on several occasions, “By this shall all men know that you are My disciples if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)  Jesus didn’t say if they went to church, read their Bible, witnessed effectively, or grew in numbers, then people would know they were His disciples.  No, Jesus said that the world at-large would know real believers by their love for one another. 

      The principle here is simple: the closer we are to Christ, the more we will love His people.  Conversely, the further we stray from Christ, the less concern we have for other believers and the more critical we will become of them.  In short, if we love Christ, we will love His people.  If we love the world, we will despise His people.  This is one of Jesus’ main markers to indicate whether we are truly growing in the Lord.  How are you doing in this area? 

      4.  Possessing Unusual Peace and Quietness!  With the recent upheavals in the economy, political arena, and in the natural world, it is a wonder that anyone could walk in tranquility.  The growing believer can!  There are numerous “peace” verse in the Bible.  This is for a good reason.  We need them! 

• “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.”  (I Corinthians 14:32-34)
• “And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your minds and hearts in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-8)

      If you are growing in the Lord, His peace is your rudder.  His peace is supposed to be guiding, guarding, and steadying your walk in this world.  It is our lack of understanding and possessing the Lord’s peace in our hearts that keeps us from receiving real revelation from the Lord about futuristic events.  As Jack once said, “You can’t handle the truth.”  The reason we can’t handle the truth is because the Lord’s peace is not fully installed in our life.  This is why there was such a glaring distinction between Jesus and His disciples when they faced storms, demons, death, and other problems.  Jesus possessed peace, they didn’t.  Grow in the peace of God today!  The Lord will lead you to places you never thought you could go.