Information Related to "Spiritual Growth: From Immaturity to Immortality"
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After examining key essential tools for spiritual transformation--prayer, Bible study, meditation, fasting, repentance and the Church, we now consider how we can use all these tools in attaining our ultimate destiny of eternal life.
"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life" (1 Timothy 6:12Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.).
The purpose of this temporary human life is to seek and prepare for life after death in God's eternal Kingdom (John 3:15-16 [15] That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
[16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
). If you haven't already, God wants you to make this the number-one goal of your life (Luke 12:31But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.). So use your understanding of His spiritual tools and get started toward that goal! Or maybe you started but got discouraged or sidetracked, or relapsed into old habits. Read on, and we'll show you how to enjoy solid, steady progress.
Physical life is evidenced by ongoing growth and development, and so is spiritual life. We must always be learning, changing, overcoming and serving to become more and more like Jesus Christ.For those spiritually dead or asleep, God's Word says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and . . . [make] the most of the time" (Ephesians 5:14-16 [14] Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
[15] See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
[16] Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
, Revised Standard Version).
Don't feel overwhelmed. God doesn't expect giant leaps. What He is looking for is that our steps, no matter how small, are going forward and not backward. Don't dwell on past mistakes or future worries. Focus on what you need to do today and thank God for each bit of progress (Philippians 3:12-14; Matthew 6:33-34 [33] But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
[34] Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
).
When we are first "baptized into Christ," we are as "babes in Christ" (Galatians 3:27For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.; 1 Corinthians 3:1And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.). But we must not remain as spiritual infants. "As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word that you may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:2As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:).
Christ didn't say following Him and thereby entering the Kingdom would be easy. He compared it to squeezing through a narrow gate, saying that few in this age would be able to do so (Luke 13:24Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.). But what is most valuable deserves the highest price. As noted earlier, Jesus compared God's Kingdom to a treasure and a "pearl of great price" (Matthew 13:44-46 [44] Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
[45] Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
[46] Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
). God's Kingdom is worth any and every possible sacrifice (Luke 14:33So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.).
God doesn't expect us to rely on our own human strength. He does expect us to work diligently as if success all depends on ourselves, but to pray regularly and earnestly, knowing that success will depend primarily and ultimately on Him (Philippians 2:12; 2 Timothy 2:15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.; Proverbs 3:5-6 [5] Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
[6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
).
Paul compared God's "tools" or strategies for entering the Kingdom with armor and weapons, because anyone trying to be a follower of Christ is automatically involved in spiritual warfare with our archenemy, Satan the devil (Luke 10:19Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.; 2 Thessalonians 3:3But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.).
We are not defenseless if we are courageous and use God's equipment. In Ephesians 6:11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil., Paul states, "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes" (NIV). And in the next few verses he lists God's protective armor.
Ephesians 6:17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: defines the primary offensive weapon - "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God"-which means our need to study, understand and live by God's Word, the Bible. This is linked in the next verse with prayer.
God's weapons and armor are mighty (2 Corinthians 10:4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)). The question for us is: Will we put on the armor, and will we wield the weapons-and will we use the spiritual tools laid out in the previous chapters of this booklet?
To recap the main points we've covered, make your goal to pray and read your Bible, as well as meditate, every day. Just as we begin to feel weak when we miss meals, we begin to weaken spiritually when we miss a day of spiritual nourishment.
We need to fast occasionally for the reasons explained in the chapter on fasting. We need to sincerely repent every time we realize we have been guilty of a sin-turning back to God and humbly obeying Him.
And we need to be actively involved in the Church the rest of our lives-for the many benefits we receive and for the opportunities to serve Godby serving His people.
We must not let up, but must keep growing! In Ephesians 4, Paul beautifully explains the purpose of God's Church and its leaders: "To prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity . . . and become mature . . . Then we will no longer be infants . . . Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-15 [11] And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
[12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
[13] 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 fulness of Christ:
[14] That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
[15] But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
, NIV).
Perhaps the best definition of spiritual maturity is the godly love described in "the love chapter," 1 Corinthians 13.
When Paul wrote to Timothy, he had reason to believe that Timothy's zeal was cooling off, like a campfire starting to die out. Paul wrote, "Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands" (2 Timothy 1:6Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.). If your fire is dying, stir it up and fan it into flames!
When the author of the book of Hebrews, apparently Paul, wrote to Jewish Christians who had been in God's Church for many years, he knew that many of them had quit growing and had "become dull of hearing" (Hebrews 5:11Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.). He said they were so immature spiritually that they still needed "milk, not solid food" (Hebrews 5:12For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat., RSV). He exhorted them, "Let us . . . go on to maturity" (Hebrews 6:1Therefore 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,, RSV).
Paul compared the life of a believer to a race in which the winner receives a valuable reward: "Run in such a way that you may obtain it [eternal life]" (1 Corinthians 9:24Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.). He said, "I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me" (Acts 20:24But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God., NIV).
Hebrews 12:1-2 [1] Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
[2] Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
tells us, "Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith."
It's not enough to train for a big race. It's not enough to start a race. What really counts is crossing the finish line. Ultimately, the only thing in this life that matters is crossing from mortal life to immortal life.
When Paul knew his "departure" was near, as he would soon be executed, he said: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing" (2 Timothy 4:6-8 [6] For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
[7] I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
[8] Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
, NIV).
Let's hope we can say the same thing at the end of our lives. We can if we use God's tools for spiritual growth, are faithful to Him and keep growing!
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Table of Contents that includes "Spiritual Growth: From Immaturity to Immortality"
Other Articles by Don Hooser
Origin of article "Spiritual Growth: From Immaturity to Immortality"
Re-published from an earlier version
Keywords: spiritual growth spiritual weapons
Holy spirit - renewing, growing: