Spiritual Maturity - A Definition
Spiritual maturity is a process that begins after a person accepts Jesus Christ as Savior. He or she is born again of the Holy Spirit and then chooses to live "in Christ." The Apostle Paul said that spiritual growth is an ongoing process. "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:12-14). Even the Apostle Paul had not arrived, yet he continually pressed toward the prize.
Therefore, in order for us to mature as Christians, we must make a choice to learn God's Word, allow God to renew our minds by His Word, and then be obedient to what we have learned. (Romans 12:1-2) says, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then we will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will."
Spiritual Maturity - Accomplishing Growth
What are the marks of spiritual maturity?
Those that are spiritually mature learn how to walk in obedience to God. It is making the choice to live by God's viewpoint rather than our own viewpoint, or the world view. (Galatians 5:16 and 25) give the key, "So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature…Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." The word "walk" in verse 16 is from the Greek word peripateo, which means "to walk with a purpose in view." The word "walk" in verse 25 is translated from another Greek word stoicheo and it means "step by step, one step at a time." It is learning to walk under the instruction of another. That person is the Holy Spirit. Since believers are indwelt by the Spirit, we should also walk under His control.
How can we learn to walk in the Spirit?
By studying God's Word, and not obeying the desires of the flesh.
(2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17) instructs us, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth…All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." This is good practical instruction on how you become spiritually mature. It is not done by osmosis, but it is done by choosing to apply God's Word in everyday circumstances. As we walk step-by-step, applying God's Word to our life, we will grow spiritually.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Keys of Truth: Hebrews (Chapter 6)
1) There are two kinds of Christian’s mentioned in the Book of Hebrews that are found in every Christian Church:
• those that remain babies in Christ (that only want milk; to feel good)
• those that mature in Christ (that want solid food, the Word that produces growth)
2) We are called to come out of all sluggishness and weakness, pressing on to the perfection that Jesus Christ has come to reveal; maturing in our understanding of God’s Word.
3) We must begin to build on the foundational truths on the Word of God. These are the six foundational truths mentioned in Hebrews Chapter 6:
The new believer receives instruction regarding: (the rudiments of the Word of Christ)
• repentance from dead works
• faith towards God
Then that which references the new believer’s public confession of faith and connection to the Church:
• the teaching of baptism
• the laying on of hands
Finally, that which relates to the future life:
• the resurrection of the dead
• eternal judgment
4) The person that has experienced God will find it difficult to repent and return to God if they walk away from Him; seeing that they crucify Jesus Christ upon the cross again, figuratively.
5) The person that experiences the falling rain of God becomes soaked and produces fruit. However, the person that experiences the same rain and produces nothing but thorns and thistles will be condemned.
6) We show love to God by helping Christians that are in need. God misses nothing, He knows perfectly well the love we show each other; what we do and why we do it.
7) God desires that we keep on loving each other as long as life lasts, believing that which we hope for will come to pass.
8) Those of us that continue to love and hope will never become spiritually dull and indifferent.
9) We are to follow the example of those that inherited the promises of God because of their faith and endurance. (for example: Abraham)
10) Because there is no one greater than God; God Himself backs His promises with His own reputation. Those of us that receive a promise from God never have to worry about Him changing His mind.
11) We must grab a hold of the promised hope, with both hands and never let go.
12) The hope that we have serves as a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.
13) We have an unbreakable spiritual lifeline that gives us direct access to God; there are no hindrances. Jesus as our High Priest has secured this for us; He is the eternal High Priest of Righteousness.
• those that remain babies in Christ (that only want milk; to feel good)
• those that mature in Christ (that want solid food, the Word that produces growth)
2) We are called to come out of all sluggishness and weakness, pressing on to the perfection that Jesus Christ has come to reveal; maturing in our understanding of God’s Word.
3) We must begin to build on the foundational truths on the Word of God. These are the six foundational truths mentioned in Hebrews Chapter 6:
The new believer receives instruction regarding: (the rudiments of the Word of Christ)
• repentance from dead works
• faith towards God
Then that which references the new believer’s public confession of faith and connection to the Church:
• the teaching of baptism
• the laying on of hands
Finally, that which relates to the future life:
• the resurrection of the dead
• eternal judgment
4) The person that has experienced God will find it difficult to repent and return to God if they walk away from Him; seeing that they crucify Jesus Christ upon the cross again, figuratively.
5) The person that experiences the falling rain of God becomes soaked and produces fruit. However, the person that experiences the same rain and produces nothing but thorns and thistles will be condemned.
6) We show love to God by helping Christians that are in need. God misses nothing, He knows perfectly well the love we show each other; what we do and why we do it.
7) God desires that we keep on loving each other as long as life lasts, believing that which we hope for will come to pass.
8) Those of us that continue to love and hope will never become spiritually dull and indifferent.
9) We are to follow the example of those that inherited the promises of God because of their faith and endurance. (for example: Abraham)
10) Because there is no one greater than God; God Himself backs His promises with His own reputation. Those of us that receive a promise from God never have to worry about Him changing His mind.
11) We must grab a hold of the promised hope, with both hands and never let go.
12) The hope that we have serves as a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.
13) We have an unbreakable spiritual lifeline that gives us direct access to God; there are no hindrances. Jesus as our High Priest has secured this for us; He is the eternal High Priest of Righteousness.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Contact With God: God Gives
1 Corinthians 1:4–6
“I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge—because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you.”
2 Corinthians 9:13–15
“Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”
Ephesians 1:4–6
“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.”
Ephesians 3:2
“Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you…”
Ephesians 4:7
“But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.”
In the previous lesson (God Contact: He Sees) we discovered something about contact with God. When we have contact with God, we can count on experiencing at least one, if not all, of these things:
Thing 1: God Sees. He sees your predicament, your despair, your need.
Thing 2: God Gives. He gives you what you need—grace, gifts, forgiveness.
Thing 3: God Calls. He calls you to join Him in His mission.
Whenever God repeats a word or phrase in Scripture, it’s His way of stressing that something important is going on, something He wants you to notice. That’s why it’s a good habit to mark key words (which are often just repeated words) whenever you see them in the Bible.
Now this: You probably noticed the word grace kept showing up alongside the word give. Reread the verses and draw a gift box over the word grace. Then look at your gift boxes and journal everything you learn about the connection between give and grace. Answer questions such as: • How is it given? • Who gives it? • To whom is it given?
The connection between give and grace is a major theme of these verses, and these are just a sliver of the many verses in the Bible that make this connection. So why is this important? Take a minute to ask God that very question. Spend a few minutes praying about these verses, and write down anything God shows you about the connection between give and grace.
Experiencing God’s grace is easier than you may think.
If you want it, you got it. If you feel as if you’re taking advantage of God by accepting His free gift, you are. That’s what God loves.
So, what do you need from God? Grace? Strength? Wisdom? He’s ready to give it to you. This lesson focused on grace, but you can substitute any other of God’s perfect gifts. When God made contact with Moses in Exodus 3, He gave Moses what he needed: assurance of His presence and His staff, to name two. When we have contact with God, He doesn’t let us leave our encounter with Him until we have everything we need.
After you’ve read the verses above, spend some time experiencing something God is desperate to give you: His grace. See also:James 1:17-18; 4:6-10
“I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge—because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you.”
2 Corinthians 9:13–15
“Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”
Ephesians 1:4–6
“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.”
Ephesians 3:2
“Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you…”
Ephesians 4:7
“But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.”
In the previous lesson (God Contact: He Sees) we discovered something about contact with God. When we have contact with God, we can count on experiencing at least one, if not all, of these things:
Thing 1: God Sees. He sees your predicament, your despair, your need.
Thing 2: God Gives. He gives you what you need—grace, gifts, forgiveness.
Thing 3: God Calls. He calls you to join Him in His mission.
Whenever God repeats a word or phrase in Scripture, it’s His way of stressing that something important is going on, something He wants you to notice. That’s why it’s a good habit to mark key words (which are often just repeated words) whenever you see them in the Bible.
Now this: You probably noticed the word grace kept showing up alongside the word give. Reread the verses and draw a gift box over the word grace. Then look at your gift boxes and journal everything you learn about the connection between give and grace. Answer questions such as: • How is it given? • Who gives it? • To whom is it given?
The connection between give and grace is a major theme of these verses, and these are just a sliver of the many verses in the Bible that make this connection. So why is this important? Take a minute to ask God that very question. Spend a few minutes praying about these verses, and write down anything God shows you about the connection between give and grace.
Experiencing God’s grace is easier than you may think.
If you want it, you got it. If you feel as if you’re taking advantage of God by accepting His free gift, you are. That’s what God loves.
So, what do you need from God? Grace? Strength? Wisdom? He’s ready to give it to you. This lesson focused on grace, but you can substitute any other of God’s perfect gifts. When God made contact with Moses in Exodus 3, He gave Moses what he needed: assurance of His presence and His staff, to name two. When we have contact with God, He doesn’t let us leave our encounter with Him until we have everything we need.
After you’ve read the verses above, spend some time experiencing something God is desperate to give you: His grace. See also:James 1:17-18; 4:6-10
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