SPIRITUAL MATURITY
THEME SCRIPTURE: II PETER 1:2 -10
........... grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord. According as his divine power has given to us all things that pertains to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that has called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given to us exceeding grace and promises: that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you and abound, they make you that you shall not be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacks these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and has forgotten he was purged of his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, you shall never fail.
(II Peter 1:2 - 10)
Do not confuse physical growth and maturity with spiritual maturity. In order to attain spiritual maturity, there is need to eat and imbibe the word of God on consistent basis so that you may grow and become matured in the faith while waxing stronger and stronger in the Spirit.
Matured children of God are always consistent in their faith, in their walk in the Spirit, and in their commitment to the LORD. The zeal to do the work of God at the slightest opportunity is always there, "for the zeal of Your house has consumed me" (New Living Translation - NLT). No doubt, it takes time and endurance to grow spiritually.
After giving your life to Christ by FAITH (and continuing in faith), you still have to grow and mature in Christ. This calls for virtue.
Add VIRTUE (or excellence / resolution). This underlies the desire not to be satisfied with second best or second-rated Christianity (or faith). Whatever you do for the LORD, do it and give Him your very best. Give your best because the LORD JESUS is the best thing to ever happen to you. Keep in mind that He gave you His best via salvation.
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends (John 15:13 New King James Version - NKJV).
Remember, When He turned water into wine, the master of ceremony acknowledged as the best wine ever tasted or served. A job well done. A touch of class and excellence! (John 2:1 - 10). Attempt great things for the LORD and expect great things from Him.
Don't stop! Add KNOWLEDGE, that is, seeking to know / inquire / investigate. Knowledge is power.
My People are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6).
Don't just read the Bible. Study it. Meditate on scripture truths. Share it with others. Be conversant with its content.
For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel (Ezra 7:10).
Aside from regularly reading and studying the Bible (the source of truth), acquaint yourself with media that disseminate the truth of the word of God. Regular contact with anointed speakers, literatures that contained the truth of the word of God, devices, etc will prove beneficial on the long run.
So then faith came by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17 King James Version - KJV).
So faith comes from hearing what [what is told], and what is heard comes by the [preaching of the] message concerning Christ. (Romans 10:7 Amplified Bible - AB)
The word of God is Spirit, truth and life (John 6:63). The LORD said in the scriptures, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31 - 32).
The truth on its own does not make one free, rather knowing the truth makes one free.
But continue in the things which you have heard and learned and has been assured of, knowing of whom you have learned them; and that from a child you have known the holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly (and thoroughly) furnished unto all good works (II Timothy 3:15 - 17).
Add TEMPERANCE (self control) as you grow gradually, for it takes time for spiritual maturity to speak for itself.
But as for you, exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry (2 Timothy 4:5 Christian Standard Bible - CSB).
Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined (Titus 1:8 New International Version - NIV).
Therefore concentrate your minds, with the strictest self-control, and fix your hopes on the blessing that is coming for you at the Appearing of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:13 Twentieth Century New Testament - TCV).
Exercise self-control, be watchful. Your adversary, the Devil, like a roaring lion, is prowling about, eager to devour you (1 Peter 5:8 TCV).
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law (Galatians 5:22 - 23 KJV).
And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown (1 Corinthians 9:25 New King James Version - NKJV).
Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. So they do it to obtain a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable (1 Corinthians 9:25 New American Standard Bible - NASB).
Like a city that is broken into and without walls so is a person who has no self-control over his spirit (Proverbs 25:28 NASB).
Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobility, and your princes feast at the proper time - with self-control and not in drunkenness (Ecclesiastes 10:17 NET Bible).
Add PATIENCE - that is, the quality that does not succumb to circumstances or situation. It is the opposite of impatience. More often than not, Satan digs up the old thought and sin. This often breeds the feeling of being downcast. Don't surrender to adverse circumstances or impatience. Rather, be full of hope. Remember, "T them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27 English Standard Version - ESV).
Patience / perseverance is an essential christian character. If you want to grow, have patience.
For you have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise (Hebrews 10:36 KJV).
And let us run with patience the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1 KJV).
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing (James 1:3-4 KJV).
Patience is better than power, and controlling one's temper, than capturing a city (Proverbs 16:32 Holman Bible - HCSB).
A person's insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offence (Proverbs 19:11 HSCB).
The end of a matter is better than its beginning; Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit (Ecclesiastes 7:8 North American Study Bible - NASB).
But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience (Luke 8:15 KJV).
In your patience possess ye your souls (Luke 21:19 KJV).
To them that by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honour and incorruption, eternal life (Romans 2:7 World English Bible - WEB).
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation works patience (Romans 5:3 NKJV).
But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it (Romans 8:25 KJV).
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope (Romans 15:4 KJV).
Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus (Romans 15:5 KJV).
But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, ....... by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love (2 Corinthians 6:4,6 KJV, HCSB).
Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds (2 Corinthians 12:12 KJV).
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith (Galatians 5:22 HCSB).
With all humility and gentleness, with patience, accepting one another in love (Ephesians 4:2 HCSB).
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness (Colossians 1:11 KJV).
Therefore, God's chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (Colossians 3:12 HCSB).
Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father (1 Thessalonians 1:3 KJV).
So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure (2 Thessalonians 1:4 KJV).
But the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patience of the Christ (2 Thessalonians 3:5 American Standard Version - ASV).
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness (1 Timothy 6:11 KJV).
Add GODLINESS, that is, to be devoted to God and His will and purpose. It takes time to develop godliness to a matured stage, hence, don't panic. Nevertheless, be steadfast and consistent in your desire for it. Be persistent in prayer, fasting, offering, and endeavour to increase in your services and piety to the Most High God Jehovah.
But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercises yourself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profits little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come (1 Timothy 4:7-8 NKJV).
Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw yourself. But godliness with contentment is great gain ..... But you, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness (1 Timothy 6:5-6,11 NKJV).
Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy conversation and godliness (2 Peter 3:11 NKJV).
Add BROTHERLY KINDNESS, that is, sweetness to one another. Being tenderly disposed to sweetness to one another. By the way we love one another, people will see the light of Christ in us. Remember, "You are the light of the world........." (Matthew 5:14 NKJV).
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:35 NKJV)
In brotherly kindness be passionately affected to one another; in honour prefer one another (Romans 12:10 Daniel Mace New Testament - MACE).
If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? (1 John 4:20 NKJV).
Add CHARITY / love. The love manifested by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit often takes time to develop. Love that is devoid of ulterior motives or duplicity, and is without strain. Even when really offended, you still are able to demonstrate love.
If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love [for others growing out of God's love for me], then I have become only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal [just an annoying distraction]. And if I have a gift of prophecy [and speak a new message from God to the people], and understand all mysteries, and [possess] all knowledge; and if I have all [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love [reaching out to others], I am nothing. If I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it does me no good at all. Love endures with patience and serenity. love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured. It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each in one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening]. Love never fails [it never fades nor ends]. But as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for the gift of special knowledge, it will pass away (I Corinthians 13:1-8 AMP).
You have heard it was said, 'You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use you, and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:43-44 NKJV).
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35 NKJV).
Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honour giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." Do out be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:10-21 NKJV)
Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law ...... Love does no harm to a neighbour; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:8,10 NKJV).
Now you have an idea of what spiritual maturity is all about. Spiritual maturity requires consistence, persistence and faith to manifest its radiance and speak for itself. As you continue to increase in the knowledge of the word of God and walk in the Spirit, it is just a matter of time before you realize how matured you have become in the Spirit. It's worth praying about! True.
IN JESUS' NAME (AMEN).
Yours
Adekunle O. Majek'
H I A F E M
Of impact, quality and excellence
That's the Spirit!
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