Maturity

Philippians 3: 12 Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, 14 I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore, all who are mature should think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal this also to you. 16 In any case, we should live up to whatever truth we have attained. 17 Join in imitating me, brothers, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us.18 For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.


I Corinthians 3: 18 No one should deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks he is wise in this age, he must become foolish so that he can become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, since it is written: He catches the wise in their craftiness;

In absolutely no way do I consider myself wise or mature. Let's get that straight right now. Everything I say after this is meant as much for me as for anyone else.


We live in an age of distractions. Jobs. Family, yes, even family. Television. Internet. Smart phones. Social media. Let's be honest. I enjoy all these things too. They distract me too. But more disturbing than the distraction factor are the unscriptural things we are exposed to through all these sources. I enjoy Facebook as much as anyone, way too much probably. It can be a way to keep up with and communicate with friends and family in other places. We can even encourage each other spiritually. But... what I often see are things that are so unscriptural. I won't even try to tell what these things are, because the point is not what these heresies are, yes, I said heresies. The point is that we should be growing spiritually to the point where we recognize untruths. We should not be posting, sharing, liking things that are contrary to God's Word. Period.


I was talking to a friend recently about the lack of spiritual growth in our churches. People who have heard the truth are leaving the faith to follow false teachings. People who sit in the pews every time the doors are open have virtually no deep understanding of God's Word. We are led away by every false teaching that hits the Internet. We are deceived by the glitz of well prepared websites. We believe what we want to believe, what sounds right to us, without searching the scriptures to see if our thoughts align with those of God.

Acts 1711 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
Romans 16:17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. 19 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.

1 Corinthians 2:9-119 However, as it is written:


“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”—
the things God has prepared for those who love him—


10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.


The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.




So, is the church, that is other believers, failing to teach and nourish our brothers and sisters? Is this lack of spiritual maturity because people are not committed wholeheartedly to Jesus? Do people make the effort to spend time daily in relationship with Jesus? I know from personal experience that spiritual growth does not come from going to church every time the doors are open. Spiritual growth comes from an intimate personal relationship with Jesus. Church attendance and Biblical teaching provide support, encouragement, sound doctrine, etc. Picture this: I want to develop physical strength and endurance. So, twice on Sunday and once on Wednesday, I go to the gym and watch other people exercise. Yeah! That works, right? Spiritual growth is about relationship. I can read about George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Peyton Manning, Ted Cruz, Sandra Bullock, or anyone else, but I DO NOT have a personal relationship with any of these people. Relationship is built in spending time together. To grow in our relationships with Jesus, we must spend time with Him. Intimately. Just Him and me. Just you and Him. Personal.


My pastor has repeatedly told us some things that are necessary for spiritual growth. Read and study your Bible every day. Pray without ceasing. Be open and obedient to God. Love others. Share your faith. Fellowship with other believers. Not a complete list, but you get the picture. Are we as individual believers faithful to doing these things?


When we spend time with Him in a growing personal relationship, we will recognize the things that are false because His Spirit will bear witness with our spirit. Without Him we are tossed around by every false doctrine or cute saying. We lack reverence. All I can say is that my heart is broken. Broken because I know how terribly I fail. Broken because I see such strong evidence that other believers do not know what God's Word says and are seeking their own theology rather than basing their beliefs on what scripture says.


My ranting will not change anything. My words are only words. God can teach us truth, but we have to be willing to let Him. We have to acknowledge his Lordship and follow Him in obedient faith and commitment to growing our relationship with Him.