Spiritual Maturity

Posted on February 25, 2016 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters

Maturity as a Christian is a process that has several factors to keep in mind and recognize. I want to start with the sovereignty of God, meaning to recognize and accept God’s right to have all power and authority over everything.

(Faith) When reading John 1:1-4 we are able to see this concept. He (God) created everything and He is life. This is just one of many places in the Bible that sheds light on the principle of sovereignty, but after reading about it, now comes an opportunity to look at our lives and see God’s fingerprint.

Taking time to reflect on events that show someone greater than ourselves stepped in to help and guide us towards spiritual maturity. For me, I am now aware of times of protection, provision, grace, mercy, discipline, and even suffering that He allowed to guide me in the direction He desired me to go, which not only glorified Him but was in my best interest.

This brings us to the next factor of maturity to focus on, circumstances. The book of James in chapter 1:1-18 explains how maturity comes through the testing of our faith. This section of the Bible goes into a clear explanation of applying the word of God to our lives simply by giving Him the authority over our lives which is already His.

Jesus says in Matthew 16:25 “If you try to keep your life for yourself you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me you will find true life.” So you see James is revealing to us how, by allowing God to determine how we will react to the things of this world, which only wants to separate us from our creator, we grow stronger in character that adds to our maturity as a Christian living for God and His purpose.

James goes on to say in verse 5, “If you need wisdom – if you want to know what God wants you to do ask Him, and He will gladly tell you. He will not resent you’re asking.” Now remember how God speaks to us through His Spirit, and His word, the Bible.

The last point I wish to look at to help with spiritual maturity is obedience. Obedience from a worldly perspective is hard, but from a Biblical perspective it really isn’t, we make it hard because we think we know what is best for us.

Think about this for a minute, how many times growing up, especially as a teenager did you think you could do something and saw nothing wrong with it or danger in it. Then someone older, parent, teacher, or friend pointed out serious concerns or dangers.

Sometimes I would ignore and wished I hadn’t other times listen and saw they were right without having to experience the consequences of not listening, but either way most times listening to the wisdom of someone older was beneficial for me.

Well God is eternal you don’t get any older than that. The only reason it seems harder to be obedient is because we like the idea of being as smart as everyone else or even smarter. Satan used this very concept to tempt Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:1-24.

In Matthew 11:29-30 Jesus says “Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” The longer you do something it does seem to get harder to stop doing it, and it takes approximately six weeks to make a habit, then in reality it’s not harder to be obedient just the same amount of time and dedication and application.

Time of being in Christ, dedication to Christ, and application of surrendering your will.

Written by Brian Ferguson: Brian is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and full-time staff member at America’s Keswick.

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 55; Proverbs 25

Click Here to Download our 2016 Daily Bible Reading Plan

Daily Quote: Meet your fears with faith. ~Max Lucado

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:  It is better to trust in the Lord; Than to put confidence in man. ~Psalm 118:8 (NKJV)