John Newton pretty well summarized the Apostle Paul’s sentiments in Philippians Spiritual growth is critically important, but not for the reasons people generally think. Instead of being a striving to either hold onto or earn our salvation, it is important because it is the evidence that we have been saved. This is a tremendous difference! The motivation that keeps us moving forward in our relationship with the Lord is love, and spiritual growth is the manifestation of that deep, loving relationship we share with Him. If the evidence is not there, we must honestly ask if the relationship is really present.