How I Mature
As A Christian
A tremendous calling has been given to us as Christians – to live a worthy life.
Jesus paid the price for our sins & we are righteous before God because of that sacrifice. Now Jesus wants us to live a life that honors God in everything that we do. As Christians we are responsible for the reputation of God here on earth. When we fail to live godly lives, God’s reputation is damaged. Nathan the prophet told David after his sin with Bath Sheba that now “you have given great occasion for the enemies of God to blaspheme Him”(2Chron.12:14).
1. Three types of Christians – Hot; Cold; Lukewarm
a. Definitions
1) Hot – those that seek to fulfill all their needs in the Lord Jesus Christ
(continuously drawn closer to Jesus)
2) Cold – Those who seek to fulfill their needs in the world
(continuously drawn closer to the world)
3) Lukewarm – Those who feel they have no needs
(content to stay as they are – OK)
b. Problems
1) Cold – go back to the world & hardened to Jesus
2) Lukewarm – no different from world, therefore world not convicted
(are a hindrance to the cause of Jesus – see Rev.3:15-17)
c. God’s promise to His people – 2 Chron.7:14
“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and
pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear
from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land”. (NIV)
d. Paul’s goal as an Apostle – Col.1:28
“We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom,
so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ”. (NIV)
2. Spiritual maturity involves responding to 8 callings – 2 Peter 1:3-11
a. Spiritual reality
1) God has given us everything we need for life & godliness
a) No excuse for us to not be what God calls us to become
b) Everything spiritual is found in knowing & accepting Jesus
c) Able to participate in God’s nature & escape world’s corruption
2) God expects us to take personal responsibility for our spiritual growth
a) Make every effort – hasten, jump, act now with earnestness
b) Add – fully supply or contribute
b. It all begins with faith
1) Means – assurance, conviction & trust based upon Jesus & what He has
accomplished for us on the cross.
2) We have trusted Jesus & have responded in obedience to His calling by
repenting of our sinful attitude & actions. We have also confessed
Jesus as Lord & have accepted Him as our Lord in baptism. Now
we are His, children of God, forgiven & indwelt by God’s Spirit.
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3) Everything we do must be centered in Jesus - Jn.15:1-8; Col.1:29
c. Add to faith goodness
1) Means – moral goodness & excellence of character; become an
excellent person spiritually; develop the courage to live faithfully.
2) Idea – live in the most excellent of ways, a model citizen, as a real man
& woman of God should live.; an exemplary life for Jesus
d. Add to goodness knowledge
1) Means – intelligence & understanding (in context about Christianity)
2) Idea – practical intelligence & insight into spiritual things; knowing
how to act & what to do in the midst of trials & temptations.
(Jn.8:31,32 – continue in His word = know truth & set free)
(See also Prov.2:3-5; 15:14; Rom.12:1,2)
e. Add to knowledge self-control
1) Means – ability to master ones desires, passions & sensual appetites
2) Idea – to restrain oneself & stand against the lust of the flesh, the lust
of the eye & the pride of life.
f. Add to self-control perseverance
1) Means – steadfastness & endurance; being unswerving from your
deliberate purpose regardless the hardship; fortitude &
constancy; a never give up attitude
2) Idea – an active word, not passive – not just sit back & put up with
trials & situations in life, but standing up & facing them by
conquering & overcoming them. Deliberately seeking to overcome
& conquer for
the cause of Jesus. Understand reason James 1:2-4
g. Add
to perseverance godliness
1) Means – respect & piety towards God; reverence & awe, continuously
conscience of God’s presence in ones life.
2) Idea – seeking to possess the character, behavior & nature of God; to
live as God would
here upon earth. 2 Cor.3:18
h. Add to godliness brotherly kindness
1) Means – to love & cherish other brothers & sisters in Christ
2) Idea – having a deep affectionate unbreakable union with others who
are Christians. Love & concern for them like those who
come from the
same womb. Jn.13:34,35
i. Add to brotherly kindness love
1) Means – affection, good will, benevolence (highest form of love); love
of the mind & reason (not based upon the emotions)
2) Idea – Love that loves in spite of feelings (feel like it or not); loves
even if the person is undeserving & unworthy. Rom.5:6-8
3. How can we tell if we are growing spiritually?
a. New & greater awareness of right & wrong.
1) Jn.16:8 – Spirit convict us
2) Words, thoughts, actions that are displeasing to God will become more
evident to us & we will feel the pain of guilt (see Rom.7:18-25)
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b. A hungering for God’s word
1) A healthy body has a healthy appetite. Man does not live by bread
alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.
2) Our spirits need daily food
c. A
genuine desire for a changed life
1) Delight in the commands of God – Jn.14:15
2) 2 Cor.5:17 – in Christ we are new creatures
d. An
increase in personal testing
1) Often by those who are closest to us & do not understand spiritual
things.
2) 2 Tim.3:12 – all who seek to live godly will suffer persecution
e. Increased
love for other Christians
1) Sincere enjoyment of fellowship
2) Acts 2:42-47
f. An
increasing desire to share your faith in Christ with others
1) One of the first signs of a genuine Christian is the desire to witness; the
desire to tell others of your experience.
2) 1 Pet.3:15
4. Practical ways to maintain spiritual growth
a.
Discipline yourself to be in God’s word daily – Ps.119; 2 Tim.3:16,17
b. Always seek God’s strength & help daily & stop depending upon you – Jn.15
c. Become accountable (prayer partner; study partner; someone to spur you on)
d. Examine every thought, word & action (don’t be afraid to repent)
e. Always
maintain the spirit of a disciple (always room to grow) 2 Pet.1:8