Getting to Spiritual Maturity

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, 

that the body of sin might be destroyed, 

that henceforth we should not serve sin.  

Romans 6:6

As believers and followers of Jesus Christ, we must fight our enemy, Satan. This is a spiritual battle which takes place in our mind and through the circumstances of life around us. On occasion, we may lose a battle to the enemy. But this does not mean he has won the war. We may temporarily go down in defeat but through confession and repentance of our sins we can rise again in righteousness to continue on to perfection [spiritual maturity]. 

Jesus has already judged Satan. Satan was defeated by Jesus at Calvary. The power of God within us is greater than the power of the enemy:

...Greater is He that is within you than he that is in the world.   1 John 4:4

We go on to perfection through the strength of this power, not human effort. Going on to perfection [spiritual maturity] is not a course in self-improvement. It is not gained through self-help books.  It is learning to live as the new creature we are through faith in Christ Jesus.

The following things are necessary for the growth in God that is required to live spiritually successful life:

Ø    A GOOD FOUNDATION:

A good spiritual foundation is required to go on to perfection 

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.  And this will we do, if God permit.   Hebrews 6:1-3

Ø   RESPONSE TO THE WORD OF GOD:

One of the purposes of the Word of God is to provide correction which results in perfection:

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.   2 Timothy 3:16-17

Just studying God's Word will not perfect you. You must make a personal response to the Word:

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the Word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass; For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the word, this man shall be blessed in his deed.   James 1:21-25

We must not only look into God's law, but "continue" [live] according to it. We must make a personal response to the Word by laying aside all "filthiness and naughtiness.” Being a doer of the Word brings assurance of salvation:

But whoso keepeth His Word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: Hereby know we that we are in Him.   1 John 2:5

Ø   PRAYER:

Pray for yourself and for others.  Prayer results in perfection:

. . . always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.  Colossians 4:12

Ø  CONSECRATION:

By consecrating your life to God you will know His perfect will. Consecration means to be set apart. When you consecrate your life to God, you refuse to conform to the standards of the world. You choose to conform to the standards of God's Word.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies, a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  Romans 12:1-2

Ø   GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:

One of the purposes of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is to assist the perfection process in your life.   God has placed ministry gifts in the church for...

. . . the perfection of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ;  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.  Ephesians 4:12-13

Ø   SUBMISSION TO PROVEN MINISTRIES:

God uses spiritual leaders in the perfection process. You should submit to the leadership of those God sets in authority in the church. Submission to "proven" ministries means submitting to spiritual leaders whose ministries have shown conformity to God's Word. The role of spiritual leaders in the perfection process is revealed in Apostle Paul's writings:

Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith.   1 Thessalonians 3:10

Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.  Colossians 1:28
. . . always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.   Colossians 4:12

For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.    2 Corinthians 13:9

Ø   SUFFERING:

No one likes to suffer, but when suffering comes in the life of a believer it can have a positive purpose: Suffering results in perfection:

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.  1 Peter 5:10

Patience during times of suffering results in perfection:

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.   James 1:4

Ø   SELF-CONTROL:

Part of the process of perfection is learning self-control. We are told to...

. . . cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.  2 Corinthians 7:1

One of the most difficult things to control is the tongue. But control of the tongue is a key to self-control of your whole life:

If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.   James 3:2

Ø   RESPONDING TO SPIRITUAL CORRECTION:

Correction received from mature believers is also part of the perfection process:

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such an one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.  Galatians 6:1

You will be on your way to perfection [spiritual maturity] when you respond properly to such correction.

Let us be like Apostle Paul, always pressing toward the mark!

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.   Philippians 3:14




(Biblical Studies)





02/11/17
06/20/20