Spiritual Maturity · Perseverance and Faith · Transformation in Christ · Discipleship

Maturity? Yes! Turning Back? Not a Chance!

4 min read, approximately

“But my righteous one shall live by faith: And if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in him. But we are not of them that shrink back unto perdition; but of them that have faith unto the saving of the soul.” (Hebrews 10:38-39)

An Introduction to Maturity

We come to know God, repent, accept him as Lord and Savior, and begin a new life in Christ… Yet usually many things begin to oppose us: friendships, work, and even family… What is happening in our lives is no small thing:

“that ye put away, as concerning your former manner of life, the old man, that waxeth corrupt after the lusts of deceit; and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, that after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)

First, the Word does its work:

“For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

And second, it tears down every argument we once held.

“For so is the will of God, that by well-doing ye should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God.” (1 Peter 2:15-16)

Maturity in Christ

Now, with this clear, we must understand:

“For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously: who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were going astray like sheep; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:21-25)

“And there is no creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Having then a great high priest, who hath passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.” (Hebrews 4:13-14)

What Does This Mean?

Leaving our old life, persevering in faith, adopting a way of life with good conduct that pleases the King, and understanding that we walk a still more excellent path requires maturity! What is the purpose?

“for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ: till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a fullgrown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; but speaking truth in love, may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, [even] Christ; from whom all the body fitly framed and knit together through that which every joint supplieth, according to the working in [due] measure of each several part, maketh the increase of the body unto the building up of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:12-16)

We no longer behave like immature children! You and I have decided to be like Christ in every way!

How Mature Are We?

“And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, as unto babes in Christ. I fed you with milk, not with meat; for ye were not yet able [to bear it]: nay, not even now are ye able; for ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you jealousy and strife, are ye not carnal, and do ye not walk after the manner of men?” (1 Corinthians 3:1-3)

Let us reflect on this, accept counsel, and mature so that we may please Christ and say: “Maturity? Yes! Turning back? Not a chance!”

May God continue to bless you
and may you continue to have an excellent day in Christ Jesus!
I invite you to stop by the Songbook