Pressing Toward the Prize…
On Sunday morning ask 10 people what they think spiritual maturity is and you’ll most likely get 10 differant answers.
I was recently confronted by a respected friend to examine the question of spiritual maturity in the church today. Furthermore he challenged that there is a significant decline in mature churchgoers.
Does participating in a lot of programs, ministries and or church activities equal spiritual maturity?
I think not.
It doesn’t happen automatically when we become believers.
It doesn’t happen after we are baptized.
It will happen because we pursue after Christ and allow God’s Holy Spirit to work in us.
“…until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:13 (NIV)
If we are indeed to mature in Christ, it needs to be an intentional effort.
It is not the amount of knowledge or wisdom we obtain but the extent to which we allow the Holy Spirit to use whatever we’ve been given.
Spiritual maturity is the differance between surviving and thriving; mediocrity and victory; how we see ourselves and how God sees us.
Spiritual maturity is a life long pursuit and cannot be obtained lightly.
“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 NIV).
Even the Apostle Paul had not arrived, yet he continually pressed toward the prize.
Grace and Peace
Hello Brother Anil,
You did an excellent job explaining spiritual maturity. Lord have mercy on those of us who are not pressing on toward the prize. IF only we were mature enough to realize what we are missing! God bless you!
Lisa said this on May 15, 2009 at 3:54 pm
I am amazed at how many people think because they been in the church for years or hold a position in the church they are a mature or even a maturing Christian. How sad it is whe people do not to recognize that wanting to become spititually mature should be our priority as we follow Christ. Good message Anil, did Patti tell you to write it?
Bob Ottalagano said this on May 15, 2009 at 6:32 pm
There are fourty year old men that act like little boys. do you argee? In like manner there are equally as old christians that stills drink milk. (drinking milk) one has to be fed, only when we are ready for solid food we feed ourselves. sSo no scripture for you on this one. (Go feed yourself) Spiritual maturity is what you do with what you know, and not how much you do know.
Sean Solomon said this on May 15, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Anil,
Please allow me to ask a question. Are we ever Spiritually Mature?
Dictionary.com has the definition of mature: “Having reached maximum development of form.”
Are we not as believers, supposed to remain flexible and teachable at all times? If that is the case, do we ever reach a level of “Spiritual Maturity”?
As we take our Spiritual walk, we are placed into many situations that involve serving God. Sometimes people tend to take these times of service into account for “credits” towards our Spiritual Maturity.
In James 1:4 (NKJV) is says; “Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Some people want to rush to get to a level that “THEY” think that God has set forth for them.
It also says in Isaiah 55:8-9 (NKJV); “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “ For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
God’s plan for us will sometimes differ from our plan when we put God in a box. We must allow God to mature us in His timing. It is not always a quick turn around, it becomes a waiting and testing period for God to allow us to show Him that we are willing to learn and grow.
We will reach the prize, if we keep our eyes and minds focused on God.
To God be ALL of the Glory…
Jeffrey Bechta said this on May 15, 2009 at 11:28 pm
Anil,
You caught my eye when you said “Life Groups”. I had to look at your blog. When I saw the illustraion, I thought about Jesus when he encountered the Samaritan woman at the well and asked her to give Him a drink in John 4:4-15. Imagine that! If she had only known that she was speaking with the one that could give her that water that would quench her thirst forever. I pray that God would spark a need for all of us to get connected to that ring of flowing water and share in Life Groups what God is speaking to their hearts and doing in their lives. Continue to use your “Holy Spirit given talent” to bless me and others that are reading your words.
Norma Montanez said this on May 17, 2009 at 1:56 am
Wow Anil! Great blog–sounds like the Holy Spirit is truly speaking to your heart! I believe it can be said that Spiritual maturity is found in Ephesians 4:13. The NLT says it like this: “This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.”
When do we reach spiritual maturity? I like to look at it in relation to our physical maturity. Our bodies are constantly maturing. There is never a time in which our bodies quit maturing or reach complete maturity. (Don’t get me wrong, I know that puberty comes pretty early in life.) However, until the day we take our last breath, we will continually progress and change in size and stature (not always the way we want to, but nonetheless always changing).
In the spirit, I believe we experience what I would like to call checkpoints (or milestones) in our faith. Notice Ephesians 4:13 where Paul says “until”. In other words for us to live our lives in such a way that we (consistently) exemplify the model set before us by Christ, it probably won’t happen overnight! This is evidenced by the Apostle Paul when he said, “Not that I have already attained all this”.
I believe the key is for us to like Paul said, “Forget what’s behind us and everyday push forward to pursue the things of God which have been set before us”. Spiritual maturity comes when we get past the “I’ll do my best” statements to, “Come what may, I will live my life according to Scripture and Faith in God!”. Just like our physical bodies are changing, so should our spirit man—for the better! That my friend is when I believe we will be able to uphold Christ like standards!
Anil, you have blessed me today brother! Continue speaking God’s Word—it is great!
Chris Hitte said this on May 18, 2009 at 3:42 pm