Maturity in Christ
Although many of us think we are mature in Christ, have we truly examined and compared our thoughts and actions against the Word of God? Do we truly have spiritual and knowledge maturity, or are we acting in our flesh while proclaiming the Word of God? This week I have been sorely tested, and although it took much meditation and prayer, begging God to lead me instead of me following my feelings and hurt fleshly instincts, I believe I have come out as a “meat eater.”
This situation made me wonder how many people truly seek God’s counsel and LISTEN to His response before acting? I am talking about reverent, humble, and prostrate appeals before God, listening for His answer before acting. I am also referring to reading The Word and understanding that although most people believe they are able to “eat meat,” as the scripture refers to those who are truly IN God, many are not only milk drinkers, but still using a pacifier as well. You cannot profess God’s Word with your mouth, then act like Satan is in control of you!
As the scriptures below state, people who are not yet mature in the understanding and performing of God-driven acts outside of your own feelings are still only able to drink milk. This is obviously a direct comparison to an infant, who can neither chew nor swallow anything but milk and must grow, learn, develop skills, and physically mature before they are able to eat meat (solid food). Each human must grow teeth, learn to chew and swallow without choking, and your digestive system must develop digestive enzymes so they can process solid foods. Until that time, you can only be given liquids (The Word watered down to your comprehension level); however, mother’s milk is extremely important as a starting point because it provides everything a baby needs to grow, become strong, and mature into a child who can absorb a variety of foods that require more energy and maturity.
Although this may appear obvious, the following scriptures prove to us that spiritual maturity is not easily attained. It takes effort, growth (maturity in thoughts and actions), and the ability to quit reacting to your environment and truly SEEK the nutrition provided by your Father. I want you to pay attention to what I just said… You start by being given nutrition produced and provided by your mother, but as you mature, in order to continue to grow properly, your nutrition must be provided by your Father in Heaven.
This takes focus and developing the right standards for your life. You must understand what spiritual maturity is and how you develop it in your life. Carefully read the following scriptures:
1 Corinthians 3:1-3 “But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way.”
1 Peter 2:1-3 “So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.”
Hebrews 5:12-13 “About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”
Each and every one of us starts off as “infants” in God. To become mature, we must seek people who can help us understand the Bible, learn to seek God, and live by His commandments and precepts. We cannot give in to fleshly feelings and desires each day, thinking we are mature in God. We must read and absorb The Word, seeking to understand God and what He expects from us. We must never get tired of listening to His voice and following His leadership through the Holy Spirit. We have to keep our focus on LISTENING, growing, and learning God’s ways, then emulating them to a world that is getting darker by the minute.
Only if we desire to “eat meat” will we ever truly understand and be able to follow God’s Word. After we fully understand His will and are willing to follow His example, will we be able to teach others? The goal of God has always been that we each act in a righteous and godly way, then through our actions (more than our words) lead people to salvation and maturity in Christ. If we are unable to put our human emotions aside and ACT in a godly and purposeful manner, then we will never be able to lead another soul to salvation through Jesus Christ!
The three scripture verses above are enough to understand that you must become spiritually and emotionally mature in order to be of use to the Kingdom of God. For as long as we follow our emotions, blow whichever way the wind takes us, and refuse to keep our eyes on God, we will remain students and never be able to serve as teachers or helpers. This starts with allowing Jesus to fully encompass your heart and soul, desiring only to please Him and leave your “flesh” behind.
Becoming spiritually mature is a PROCESS that requires focus, devotion, and determination, and leaving your personal feelings, hurt, and injuries behind in order to become the teacher/leader this world desperately needs. It is not easy, but it is the path that will lead you to God’s purpose for your life. If you spend your life clinging to requiring easily digested milk from others, you will never become the man or woman God expects and needs you to be.
May this sermon touch your soul, and I hope you will leave your feelings behind and ACT as God desires. Controlling your thoughts, actions, and behaviors is the key to success. Think like Jesu,s and you will act like Jesus. Amen.
Love, hugs, prayers, and blessings, Lisa ><>
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