SPIRITUAL MATURITY

Spiritual maturity is a process that begins when a person accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior. He or she is reborn in the Holy Spirit and chooses to live "in Christ." The apostle Paul said that spiritual growth is a continuous process. "Not that I have already reached it, nor that it is already perfect; but that I continue, to see if I manage to grasp that for which I was also seized by Christ Jesus. Brothers, I myself do not pretend to have achieved it. But one thing I do: Forgetting certainly what is left behind, and extending to what is ahead, I continue to the goal, to the prize of the supreme call of God in Christ Jesus. " (Philippians 3: 12-14). The same apostle Paul had not reached him, yet he continually continued to the goal.

Therefore, for Christian maturity to develop in your life, you must make the decision to learn the Word of God to renew your mind, and then obey what you have learned. Romans 12: 1-2 says; "So, brothers, I beg you for the mercies of God, that you present your bodies in living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, which is your natural cult. And do not conform to this century, but transform yourself through the renewal of your understanding, so that you can verify the good will of God, pleasant and perfect. "

What are the signs of spiritual maturity?

Spiritual maturity consists in learning how to walk in obedience to God. It is making the decision to live according to God's point of view instead of the human. Galatians 5:16 and 25 give us the key: "I say: Walk in the Spirit, and do not satisfy the desires of the flesh ... If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit." The word "walk" in verse 16 comes from the Greek word peripateo , which means "to walk with a purpose in sight." The word "walk" in verse 25 has been translated from another Greek word Stoicheo and 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 the Holy Spirit dwells in believers, they must also walk under His control.

How can you walk under the control of the Holy Spirit? Study the Word of God! 2 Timothy 2:15; 3: 16-17 instructs us: "Diligently try to present yourself to God approved, as a worker who has nothing to be ashamed of, who uses the word of truth well ... All writing is inspired by God, and useful for teaching, to rebuke , to correct, to instruct in justice, so that the man of God is perfect, entirely prepared for every good work. " This is a good and practical instruction on how to become spiritually mature. It is not achieved by osmosis, but when we choose to apply the Word of God to everyday circumstances. As you go step by step, applying the Word of God in your life, you will grow spiritually.

Spiritual maturity must be a priority for you. "And everyone who participates in milk is inexperienced in the word of justice, because he is a child; but solid food is for those who have reached maturity, for those whose use has the senses exercised in the discernment of good and evil". (Hebrews 5: 13-14). As a believer, you should not feed on milk. Instead, you are called to chew the " solid food " of the Word of God. Discover the truth of God through in-depth study of the Bible and feed yourself spiritually. Then apply that sustenance to your life as you walk in the Holy Spirit.

In order to experience spiritual maturity, one must also understand that growth comes by grace and that only God is its source. 2 Peter 1: 3-9 reminds us that God is the source. "Like all things that pertain to life and godliness have been given to us by his divine power, through the knowledge of the one who called us for his glory and excellence. Through which he has given us precious and great promises, for that by them you became participants of the divine nature, having fled from the corruption that exists in the world because of concupiscence.You also, putting all diligence for this same reason, add to your faith virtue, to virtue, knowledge; to knowledge, self-control; to self-control, patience; to patience, piety; to piety, brotherly affection; and to brotherly affection love. Because if these things are in you, and they abound, they will not let you be idle or fruitless as for the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he who does not have those things has a very short vision; he is blind, having forgotten the purification of his old sins. "

When you became a child of God, you were given everything you needed "in Christ" to become a spiritually mature believer. However, you are responsible for making the decision! Will you choose to use and apply God's principles in your life? The wonderful thing about undergoing the process of maturing God is that you will change! You don't have to worry about becoming mature. God provides the change! He will resemble the image of Jesus Christ as you surrender in humility to His Holy Spirit and learn His Word.

Hebrews 13: 20-21 says: "And the God of peace who raised our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you fit in every good work to do his will. , doing in you what is pleasing in front of Him through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. "