“A PROFILE OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY”

(1 Peter 1:13-25)

One of the most frustrating things about life, on this planet called Earth, is the incapability of people being able to change their behavior. Such change is considered difficult because we have convinced ourselves that humans are “creatures of habit”. Though there is “some truth” to such a saying, in reality the great majority of human activity is based on our reactions to circumstances. Usually people have something occur in their lives and they react a certain way. Often it is not thought through but is simply a reaction. When the same kind of occurrence happens a second time, people react in the same way. When a third occasion takes place and the very same reaction is followed, (by the people we are describing) it has become their standard response each time they face the identical circumstance. Behaviorists and Psychologists tell us that once something is repeated at least three times it is now a habit, a normal way of life for human beings. By living life in such a way we form the patterns that govern our behavior. And once such default settings are in place: WATCH OUT! The hardest thing in the world to do is change our way of reacting to events and occurrences. In fact, the Bible tells us that it takes God, the Holy Spirit’s work in our life to bring about such alterations. Without God’s involvement the change cannot be done!

In making changes, in any area of life, doing things differently in our “spiritual life” or on our “spiritual journey” presents us with the same kind of challenge. Frankly, we learn that to react in the “normal” way is much easier to do than moving into a new process of activity. Such an observation brings us to the place of exploring the message of 1 Peter 1:13-25. If you or I were going to choose one Biblical character as a “test case” of the need for transformation in our spiritual life it could be Simon Peter. He is the person, in Scripture; (just recently) we used to discover the necessity for Christians to rediscover God while in the midst of being tempted to “give up” on the Christian faith and ministry. As we come to the book of 1 Peter we find a disciple later on in his adult years. Now he exhibits a ton of “growing up”. In earlier encounters we saw Peter completely driven by impulse (John 18:10), not “self-controlled”. (Verse 13) In John 21:20-21 this follower of Jesus compares himself with the disciple John, not seeing “each man’s work impartially”. (Verse 17) Furthermore, in Luke 24:11 we see this servant lose all hope, at the death of His Master, not having “faith and hope in God”. (Verse 21)

Did you pick up on what Peter wrote, as one who had experienced being reinstated by his Lord? This disciple here speaks of “being prepared”. (Verse 13) How different from the original Peter. We already mentioned the self-control command he issues to his readers. He also urges his readers “do not conform to the evil desires they once had”. (Verse 14) Instead he instructs them to “be holy in all you do”. (Verse 15) As we continue to highlight many of the phrases he uses in this passage, this fisherman now instructs his fellow disciples to live their lives as strangers in the world. (Verse 17) Does that sound like the gospel song, “This world is not my home, I’m just passing through”? This is the scripture that song is based on. Peter, of all people, exhorts his audience to “have sincere” (not superficial) “love for your brothers”; a deep love from the heart.

Wow! If God could do this to Simon Peter, just think of what He can do with you and me. Peter even proceeds to speak as if on a journey, if we sneak a look at Chapter 2. There he says, “Rid yourselves of ALL malice and ALL deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander OF EVERY KIND. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, SO THAT BY IT YOU MAY GROW UP IN YOUR SALVATION”! He has learned to grow in salvation at this time in his life. He now realizes that there is more to salvation than just justification. There is a progression, a growth that has to take place. It is called sanctification. He is now at a stage in his life where he sees things in actual reality.

So how do we describe this new stage of the journey? Once again, Peter is reconnected with his active world through a new sense of purpose. Once again, he is focused outward as a follow-up to having been lead by the Holy Spirit into a deeper knowledge of spiritual things. Peter now calls his readers to study, learn, attend and serve. All this Christian activity is not to gain God’s favor. It is done out of a goal of being transformed to become a new person. Outwardly, a Christian now appears to others as unconcerned with “important things” like rules, numbers, performance and programs. Did you hear what I just said? Bible believing churches in America are mostly caught up with a list of rules which mature Christians no longer find important. These churches stress numbers (attendance figures) if you please. These churches go for big performances. And the same churches attempt to offer their congregations every possible program conceivable. Somewhere in the process of “doing church” the application of Peter’s letter is lost in the woodwork.

At Stage Five spiritual gifts are not done out of a sense of duty! They are done with patience, freshness and inner calm. Christians in Stage Five have a peace, even as they work on things God has given them to do. Instead of going through the motions, the rules and the regulations of the Christian life, they now possess a real concern and focus on others’ best interests. They actually love brothers and sisters in the Lord with genuine care. Even in the midst of chaos they operate their life from the presence of a deep calm or stillness, in contrast to the turmoil, worry and angst they once had.

Such committed Christians now find they will do whatever God is asking of them! It no longer matters what it costs them, what the consequences are, or even the reputation it gives them with other people. Prayer now becomes a way of life in every aspect of their existence. These ones enter into prayer with no limit to time. They wrestle with God over those they pray for. These folk live courageously! They continuously expect fruit from ministry. They expect it and they get it! They are now in the midst of what Jesus said to His disciples in John 10:10, “…I have come that you might have life, and have it to the full.”

Such a life does not happen by “osmosis”. It doesn’t happen by having a New Year’s resolution approach to faith. It doesn’t happen through over-saturating oneself with sheer determination, zeal or effort to work for God. This lifestyle occurs when we go deeper into ourselves and our intimacy with the Lord grows into the “Tree of Living Water” within our soul: “Which never shall run dry!” These folk have stability in their life. They are involved in one deep, meaningful Bible study of actually digging into God’s Word rather than a host of studies only dealing with surface issues.

It is in this context that the whole array of spiritual disciplines (practiced down through the years of church history) is learned and practiced. Such activity completely transforms these believers into having a living, vibrant, workable faith-life. Unfortunately, this incredible life of faith is experienced by probably 10% of born-again Christians these days. The rest of those professing Christianity completely define their faith as a one time decision of accepting Christ as Savior and they don’t even have a clue how to “fall in love with Jesus”. In many instances their pastors or Bible teachers have spent their entire ministerial focus on the “salvation message” (the Bible calls that justification) and have neglected instructing folks on the ongoing part of salvation called sanctification.  Christianity is so much more than just placing faith in Jesus as Savior. It is all about a growing relationship with Christ in terms of personal love and endearment! It is to CRAVE THE SAVIOR MORE AND MORE! Thus, the holiness and righteousness of “God’s Elect” (those practicing “The Kingdom”) issues from all they have in Christ. Their life finds it’s focus in no one but Jesus!

I find a huge confusion in professing Christians minds as to what human marriage is all about. The idea of two becoming one remains a theory most Christians believe in but do not experience. Instead most marriages of Christians are two individuals living under the same roof with a conversion belief in the same Lord. The marriage between Christ and His bride; the church is seen in the same light! Just like the Church in Ephesus mentioned in Revelation 2:1-7, tons of church members are up to their teeth in “hard work and perseverance”. Yet, do you remember what the Lord accused them of doing? “I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.” (Revelation 2:4-5)

Stage five is all about “Returning to our First Love” That is how life can turn around, or change, for a Christian. It is in Stage five that the “stretch lessons” of earlier stages begin to bear fruit. Here those who actually SURRENDER THEMSELVES to the Living Lord and saturate themselves with Who He is and what His will is become mature in their faith. Those who UNCONDITIONALLY give Him all they are, all they have and all they can be find a spiritual life that they thought only existed in theory. It is at Stage Five, that this small remnant of professing Christians discovers life as God intended it to be. We call it the “Abundant Life”. It is there for the asking but so seldom found.

It is at this stage on the journey that the Christian life begins to be all that it was cracked up to be. Here, in Stage Five it is possible to participate in the greatest adventure in all of life. But: IT REQUIRES TOTAL, NO STRINGS ATTACHED, HUMBLE, SELF-EFFACING SURRENDER TO THE TRUE AND LIVING GOD!!!! Jesus practiced it with His Father in the Garden when He prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done!” (Luke 22:42) Our Lord walked by faith totally, while on this planet. He exhibited how it works with this simple, pure interaction with His Father. He unconditionally submitted to the will of the Father.

Hopefully you are a part of the remnant. Hopefully you are seeing growth on your spiritual journey every single day. And, hopefully you are “walking in step with the Spirit”. (Galatians 5:25)