The word maturity means “to be a finisher, to complete what is started”. It is the principle of “growing in faith to attain Christ’s perfection”.

We are to grow in him and allow him to grow in us so that we reach spiritual maturity in him. The idea that a believer is immediately mature and perfect is false; believers need to grow into the fullness of God’s purposes for them.

From the moment a person receives Christ, they pass out of death into life and are called out of the world and its values and set apart for heaven. This new life is not just for the future but begins immediately. Christ will one day present his church perfect, but until then, his command is to “seek first the Kingdom of God” and for us to press into it with determination. (Matthew 6:33, 11:12).

He came to give us life and life more abundantly. (John 10:10). There is a wonderful old hymn: “I have decided to follow Jesus (x3), no turning back, no turning back”.

Jesus called his disciples to follow him as their shepherd. As our shepherd, he will guide us through life and bring us to our heavenly destiny. (Psalm 23). The life of a believer is one of pressing through every test, trial, setback and difficulty to win the high calling of Christ. (Philippians 3:7-16).

Believers are not expected to sit back and do nothing but to mature in faith in Christ. The word “mature” used in the NIV Bible also means to be perfected, but we will only be perfect when we see Jesus face to face and are changed.

Until then, we are being changed spiritually into his image. We are “perfect” to the measure of maturity that we have attained in Christ. We grow deeper in understanding as we grow and are changed bit by bit. (1 Corinthians 13:10-11, 14:20).

This is an ongoing process, and we are to go on, going on. The words perfect and mature also mean in the Bible “to be a finisher” to complete what God has started.

By understanding and practising these seven principles, it is possible to “go on to maturity”. Each principle is linked with and proceeds from the others. Through repentance, a believer is forgiven and delivered from sin, reborn by the Spirit of God, and adopted into God’s family, separated from the world and through faith, brought into a daily walk with God.

This leads to caring for people, serving others and becoming fruitful in service. As we learn and practice the principles of God’s Word, we continue to grow spiritually and are changed from glory to glory. (2 Corinthians 3:18).

The early church devoted themselves to doing four things: the teaching of the apostles, prayers, fellowship and breaking of bread. In this way, they grew spiritually. (Acts 2:42).

Building our Lives on Christ the Rock

In Matthew chapters 5 to 7, Jesus instructed the crowds that followed him about the principles for living a life that would be of eternal worth, and he summed it up with a parable about a man who built his house upon a rock. (Matthew 7:24-27).

The meaning of the parable is clear: Christ is the Rock, and we should build our lives upon him and his words. Those who do so will survive the storms of life.

Jesus Christ is the “Rock of Ages” and never changes. He is the eternal Lord and is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8, 1:10-12).

To live a life of faith, we need to put these principles into action.

Join me as we continue on our journey through “A Life of Faith.”

Blog series Six – Two Kingdoms at War