Spiritual Maturity

"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 Apostle Paul admitted that he is not perfect, but he constantly presses on towards that goal. To be spiritually mature means learning how to walk in obedience to God. What does it take to become spiritually mature?

1) Study and know God's Word

"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." (2Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17) 

As Joe said in his sermon today, anyone can take the scripture and twist it out of context and make it fit into their lives- but the wise and mature Christian reads the word for its truth and does not try to mold it to their liking. 

2) Purity
"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 you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:1-2)

Our body is a temple, therefore we must keep it as clean and pure as possible- this is also a form of worship to God. The scripture even goes to say that not only must we keep our physical bodies holy, we must renew the way we think as well. 

3) Eat SOLIDS! 

"Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil" (Hebrews 5:13-14)

Babies drink milk because they are too young and have no teeth to chew. We are not infants any longer! Now that we are living in Christ, we must chew on the "meat" God's Word. 

4) Understand the power of God's grace.

We know and God surely knows that we will stumble many times along the way, which is why He provides us with his everlasting grace. Not that we must take it for granted or even take advantage of His grace; but be grateful for such a gift.

I need to strive to reach these goals. Keep pressing on as Paul encourages us to do so!