Learning That Real Spiritual Maturity Is A Gradual Process

In review of the second half of Ephesians 4:13 it says, “We shall become mature people, reaching to the very height of Christ's full stature.”

Bottom Line:

Our spiritual leaders will continue to do his work and build up the church until we all of us are united in our faith and in our knowledge about God’s Son.  Then we will mature, growing until we become like Christ and have his perfection.

What this means to me:

I will continue to be trained to do his work and help build up his church until I am united with others in my faith and in my knowledge about God’s Son. Then I’ll grow in maturity until I become like Christ. Discipleship is the process of conforming to Christ; and my journey will last a lifetime. Every day God wants me to become a little more like him: “You have begun to live the new life, in which you are being made new and are becoming like the One who made you” (Colossians 3:10a NCV). In today world we’re constantly obsessed with speed, however God is more interested in strength and stability than with swiftness. We always want the quick fix, the shortcut, the on-the-spot solution. We want a pill, a sermon, a seminar, or an experience that will instantly resolve all problems, remove all temptation, and release us from all growing pains. What I’m learning is that real maturity is never the result of a single experience, no matter how powerful or moving. Growth is gradual process. The Bible says, “Our lives gradually [become] brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him” (2 Corinthians 3:18b MSG). In life, we often build our identities around our defects. We say, “It’s just like me to be …” and “It’s just the way I am.” The unconscious worry is that if we let go of our habit, hurt, or hang-ups, who will I be? This type of fear would definitely slow down our growth. Habits actually take time to develop. My character is a sum total of all of my habits. I can’t claim to be kind unless I am habitually kind; meaning I show kindness without even thinking about it. I can’t claim to have integrity unless it is my habit to always be honest. My habits define my character. There is only one way to develop the habits of Christ-like character: I must practice them daily. This will take time. There are no instant habits. Paul urged Timothy, “Practice these things. Devote your life to them so that everyone can see your progress” (1 Timothy 4:15 GW). Part of my frequent routine is to spend time getting into God’s word and then trying to apply them to my life. It is helpful to have and meet with others that can help encourage me as a work to develop a habit of being Christ-like. As I heal and get better, It is my intent to get together with two other guys I trust in my church community and have them help me be accountable as I develop habits of being like Christ. I just need to remember that real spiritual maturity Is not an overnight thing, rather it is a Gradual process.