In Genesis chapter three, we read of sin being introduced into the world.  God created Adam and Eve and then placed them in a perfectly made garden where everything was just right (Genesis 2-3).  All man had to do to remain in a perfect state of bliss forever is obey God.

Adam and Eve failed.  They both disobeyed God by partaking of the fruit of the tree He commanded them not to touch, that is, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17).  They immediately knew that they were naked because their innocence was lost forever.  Their eyes were now open to sin (Genesis 3:7).

Knowing that they disobeyed God, Adam and Eve were afraid when they heard God in the garden, so they attempted to hide (ver. 8).  God, being omniscient, knew where they were, but to get a response, He called out to Adam, “Where are you?”

That is another good question, especially when it is asked from a spiritual standpoint.  Where are you spiritually?  The first thing to be determined when you want to know where you are spiritually is if you are in Christ.  Everything that is of real importance, as far as lasting value is concerned, is in Christ (Ephesians 1:3; 1 John 1:7; 2 Timothy 2:10; Revelation 14:13).  To get into Christ you must obey the gospel by believing in Jesus and being baptized (Mark 16:16).  Baptism will move you from outside of Christ to inside (Galatians 3:27).

If you have already properly obeyed the gospel, you still need to be concerned with where you are spiritually.  Are you growing in Christ?  There is no such thing as a Christian remaining neutral.  Either we are growing stronger in Christ, or we are becoming weaker as Christians.  Growing in Christ is the will of God.

1 Peter 2:2 (ESV)
²  Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—

Do not be like the brethren the Hebrews writer scolded.   He said to them, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food” (Hebrews 5:12).  There is nothing wrong with being a babe in Christ when you actually are one, but it is a problem when you have been in Christ for several years, and you still have the characteristics of a newborn babe.  Why are some babes when they should be mature enough to be teachers of others?  There may be several factors involved, but often it is just a lack of personal Bible study.  Remember, faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17).  If you do not study, you will not grow.

Another thing that gives us insight into where we are spiritually is our fruit-bearing.  Are we bearing good fruit as Christians?  Jesus has a lot to say about this.  Read John 15:1-10 and see just how important it is to bear fruit in Christ.  Jesus said, “If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned” (John 15:6).  Let us all make our minds up to be fruit-bearing Christians and avoid being cast into the fire.

Where are you spiritually?  That is a very important question with eternal ramifications.  Let’s all examine ourselves to make sure that we are where we should be in Christ.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.