THE JOURNEY TO SPIRITUAL MATURITY

Every believer in Jesus Christ is on a journey.  This journey is of God’s doing not the individual.  Any description of this journey is both; as specific as the general profile of each stage, and as flexible as the individual actually experiencing the journey.  There are common denominators, at each stage, and unique events for the believer.

This information is portrayed in the biographies of Scripture, coupled with an overwhelming preponderance of verses dealing with growth and progress in a life of faith.  To simply touch on some examples of related scripture is to mention Philippians 1:6, I John 1:5-7, James 1, and II Peter 1:3-11.  Some of the many biographies that portray the journey include Moses, David, Elijah, Simon Peter, Paul, and John.

It is paramount that the church initiates the task of bringing the knowledge of the “journey” to God’s people.  Whereas the church, down through the years, has done a thorough job of presenting the “gospel” that Jesus saves, the church has neglected the training and discipleship concerning how to “walk the walk”.  Acts 9:2 identifies that Saul pursued the “people who belonged to the way”.  This description was the name the church was given until Acts 11:26 was the first occasion when believers were called “Christians”.  A way of life or a journey was the first way to identify the church.

The whole substance of our faith is presented as “growth”.  Two major pictures are used in the New Testament to bring out this thrust of truth.  First of all, salvation is presented as being three dimensional.  Secondly, believers in Christ are described as people who start their faith as babies and grow into maturity. 

SALVATION: (for a believer in Christ)

        1. Justification=the moment of conversion to faith/ literally declared (by God) innocent though originally guilty.  The declaration is based on the complete work of Christ on the believer’s behalf. (Romans 3:21-30)

        2. Sanctification=the ongoing progressive growth of the believer of Jesus Christ into Christlikeness.  This is the ongoing work of the indwelling Holy Spirit.  It is ongoing throughout a believer’s earthly life.  It is a journey that is ever-changing and ever-growing.  (Romans 8:5-17) 

        3. Glorification=the completion of a believer’s restoration encompassing the removal of sin and reception of a glorified body to be reunited with a redeemed soul.  It occurs at the second coming of the Lord to gather His own.  (Romans 8:18-25)

 MATURITY GROWTH:

        1. Conversion is that moment when we become babies in the Lord Jesus; having just been born.  (I Peter 2:1-3)

        2. Ongoing growth is the time of life when we become teens/young men and women in spiritual life.  There are at least three categories of spiritual growth; little children, young men, and fathers.  (I John 2:12-14)

        3. Maturity becomes the objective God brings to every believer’s life.  It is God’s goal for each of us.  (Hebrews 5:11-14, James 1:2-8)