Spiritual Maturity

“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Hebrews 5:12-15)

We as God’s children have a responsibility to press on to maturity. We are on a continual spiritual growth track. To grow spiritually means to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Gospel tells us how a Christian can grow spiritually. It is Christ's power in the believer that gives us the ability to grow spiritually. As we rely on His power and obey His commands, we can develop maturity. Since God is the source of all spiritual development, we cannot neglect Him and expect to become mature. Transformation begins with time in His Word and prayer. No one accidentally becomes mature. Spiritual growth requires a diligent pursuit of God. When we are mature in Christ, we recognize our own inadequacy and rely on the Holy Spirit within us. It's His job to transform our character and empower us to accomplish everything the Lord calls us to do.

To evaluate our spiritual growth, we can measure our improvement in the "fruit of the Spirit." The Holy Spirit in us produces qualities in us, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  If we are increasing in love, in joy, in patience, we are growing spiritually. It is God's will that we grow to be more like Jesus. We also have the promise that the Lord Himself will oversee our growth and bring us to maturity. He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.