SPIRITUAL MATURITY: GROWING UP INTO CHRIST

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). 

Christian spirituality is like a journey. It has a start point and a finish point. All of us start from being born again. We are expected to finish at attaining to the whole measure of the fulness of Christ. 

Apostle Peter sets forth the series on Christian spirituality when he says, "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation (1 Peter 2:2 NIV). 

The moment you get born again, you are like a fresh baby in the realm of the spirit. Inspite of your physical stature, you are an infant in the divine nature and spiritual life. You must grow up in wisdom as you do in stature. You must also grow up in understanding as you do in physique. Spiritual growth and development must be your topmost priority as a newbie in the spiritual life. 

Final Destination in Life

Christian spirituality is like a journey. It has a start point and a finish point. Woe betides a person who runs with no particular destination in view. You are running speedily, but where are you heading for? 

Speed is important for success in life but direction is more important. Most people are able to start off on a venture but they are not able to finish at their intended goals. 

It takes vision, wisdom and commitment to finish at your intended goals. Christian spirituality ends at attaining to the whole measure of the fulness of Christ. This is your final destination in life. 

What is Spiritual Maturity?

Spiritual maturity is the state of having attained to the measure of the fulness of Christ in real life, that is, a state of complete spiritual, mental and emotional development. 

Spiritual maturity is not idealistic, referring to what ought to be, but practical, referring what is the case in real life. It takes learning and practising to reach to spiritual maturity in real life. 

Growing up into Christ

Take note, I am not saying growing up in Christ but growing up into Christ. There's a difference. Growing up in Christ implies that the goal is vague, and lacks a sense of direction. Growing up into Christ implies that the goal is precise, and has a sense of direction. 

The finish point of your growth process is to become just like Jesus in real life, not in the ideological or theoretical sense. When you have the finish point of your growth process in view, you are able to fight and press your way into that holy bliss of a goal that is set for you by your heavenly Father. You are able to overcome any person or thing that is an impediment to your spiritual goal. 

Growth is a lifetime process, not a one day event. Consistency guarantees fruitfulness. Without consistency, you can achieve nothing. If you desire to grow up into Christ, you must be consistent with your fellowship with the Holy Spirit. In him is the spiritual sap or divine nourishment that you depend on for spiritual growth and development.

Some Spiritual objectives for the Christian

To love others as Jesus has loved you

Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34‭-‬35 NIV). 

As a newborn baby, one spiritual objective that has been set for you to attain is to love others as Christ has loved you. He is the standard of love, so you must yearn to grow up to attain the whole dimension of his love. Ephesians 5:17-18, 1Corinthians 13:4-8 and Colossians 3:14 are important scriptures on love. Colossians 3:14 particularly says that "love becomes the mark of true maturity" (TPT). 

To be as humble as Jesus

Jesus is gentle and humble. The Christian who is growing spiritually has learnt to be gentle and humble.

"Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me (Matthew 11:29 TPT)." 

To walk in the footsteps of Jesus

The Christian who is growing spiritually walks in the footsteps of Jesus.

"Not just by saying, 'I am intimate with God,' but by walking in the footsteps of Jesus" (1 John 2:6 TPT).

Where are you now?

At this point in your spiritual journey, what is your dimension of love? How high, how deep, how long and how wide is your love? Christ's love is so high you can't over it, so deep you can't under it, so wide you can't get around it. His love is reckless! 

Where you are going?

Your goal in this spiritual journey is to reach to the whole measure of the fulness of Christ's love, to be precise. Love becomes the mark of true maturity.

"Our love for others is our grateful response to the love God first demonstrated to us" (1 John 4:19 TPT).


#Love is the order of the day

Comments

  1. Sage WordOctober 12, 2022 at 7:02 AM

    Sage Broadcast empowers you to study, reason and question (srq) scripture in order to find evidence of the truth. Remember, this is achievable only through the Holy Spirit.

    ReplyDelete

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