Proverbs 9: 6 says lay aside immaturity, and live, and walk in the way of insight. Maturity therefore means to walk with spiritual insight that enables us to live without sin. Immaturity is failing to attain the desired spiritual level which God purposed for our lives. The journey to spiritual maturity begins with new birth in Christ Jesus. John 3: 1-7 say, you must be born from above… The dead do not mature, so in order to mature, we must be alive in Christ Jesus. 1Peter 1:23 says you have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God.
Can we mature without Christ Jesus?
The answer is no! Acts 17: 28 says, for in him, we live and move and have our being; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we too are his offspring.’ In order to mature, we must be properly fed or nurtured with the appropriate spiritual meal, which is the word of God. 1Peter 2: 2 -3 say like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it, you may grow into salvation — if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Maturity starts from the acceptance that we are sinners who have fallen short of the glory of God. Romans 3: 23 says all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. When we are redeemed by Jesus’ precious blood, his seed is planted in us to grow to maturity under our care, which thus makes us accountable. When God’s seed of life is planted in us, spiritually we become newborn infants in Christ Jesus in the hands of God and upon whom we depend.
As newborn infants, we must desire and feed on pure, spiritual milk, the unblemished word of God. It is the Holy Spirit that is tasked to feed us to spiritual maturity. 1Corinthians 2: 13 says, and we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom, but taught by the Spirit, interpreting things to those who are spiritual. This is how Paul matured in Christ Jesus. He wrote in Galatians 1: 12, I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
What is God’s pure, spiritual milk?
1Peter 2: 2 says, like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it, you may grow into salvation. It is the unadulterated word of God presented to our clear understanding. Studying the bible at the feet of Christ Jesus prayerfully and meditating on it is enough for our growth under the power of the Holy Spirit.
We must avoid unbiblical doctrines. Paul wrote in 2Thessalonians 2: 15 so then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter. 1Timothy 6: 20 says, Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid profane chatter and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge. We mature by operationalizing what the bible says.
Unbiblical doctrines are thus explained in 2Timothy 2: 16, avoid profane chatter, for it will lead people into more and more impiety. We are cautioned, in 2Timothy 3: 5, to avoid holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power rather than the inner purity of Christ Jesus (paraphrased). Further, Titus 3: 9 says avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. What is circularly right may not necessarily be spiritually wholesome.
We must become part of the word
Joshua 1: 8 says… you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. Isaiah 59: 21 also says the word shall not depart out of your mouth, mouth of your children, and the mouth of your grandchildren (paraphrased). We must be one with the word.
We can do so only if we obey God. God told Abraham in Genesis 17: 1… I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless. Maturing means we must walk blameless before God through Christ Jesus. We are reminded in Ezekiel 28: 15, you were blameless in your ways from the day that you were created, until iniquity was found in you. Jesus is the cure for iniquity.
Jesus said in John 15: 5, I am the vine, you are the branches… apart from me, you can do nothing. Although it is not easy by ourselves to mature in God, Jesus the bible said in Matthew 19: 26; Mark 10: 27; for mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible. Jesus assured Paul in 2 Corinthians 12: 9… my grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness. Paul wrote in 1Corinthians 12: 10… for whenever I am weak, then I am strong. Paul matured when he became part of the word.
We must seek the Holy Spirit
We will mature only by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit allows and encourages us to keep fellowship with one another, as the disciples did. Acts 2: 42 says they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. In fellowship, we are encouraged by one another how to overcome our shortfalls. The Holy Spirit teaches us the truth and brings all that we have forgotten into remembrance. He helps us to support the weak.
Maturity in the Holy Spirit enables us to withstand the wiles of the enemy. Paul wrote in Romans 12: 2 do not be conformed in this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God — what is good and acceptable and perfect. This is achieved by the Holy Spirit by God’s grace. Are we mature in Christ Jesus with a new mind? Jesus is coming soon!
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, we have stagnated without maturing in our souls. We have failed to feed on your pure spiritual milk as your word has directed us to do. Enable us by your grace in the power of the Holy Spirit to feed on your word so we may grow to maturity in spirit. Pardon us of our iniquity and save us today in your holy name, Amen!!
Send us your prayer request so we may join you in prayer
0 Comments