PURSUING OUR SPIRITUAL MATURITY

Philippians 3:15-19 says, "Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. But we must hold on to the progress we have already made. Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth." Paul continued to encourage the believers in Philippi to hold on to the spiritual progress that they had already made. They need to keep on learning and following the way he and other mature believers live their faith in the Lord, because there were some people who came to the church who were not really believers. Their gods were still the things of this world. 

As believers in our Lord Jesus, we must continue to pursue our spiritual maturity. We must not allow the influence of this world to affect our relationship with the Lord. Those who do not follow Jesus only think about this life here on earth, and their god is their appetite. Whatever they feel, think, want, and wish are things they follow regardless of what God says in His Word. Not so with us, we must follow the footsteps of those who are faithful in their faith in the Lord. We must learn from them. For example, it is always my desire to talk to veteran missionaries or servants of the Lord who have served the Lord for a long time because I want to learn from them about how they faithfully serve the Lord. We must always be teachable so that we can mature spiritually. Let's spend time with those who can guide us towards spiritual maturity, instead of associating with those who influence us in worldly ways.

Our focus as believers of our Lord Jesus is to mature in our walk with the Lord. We must be careful of the influence of this world on us. When we begin to be more concerned about this life on earth and our wants and desires become more important than following the will of God, then we must pull away and return to following our Lord because we are heading in the wrong direction. We must hold on to the progress of our maturity in our Lord Jesus.

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) Am I pursuing my spiritual maturity in Christ? What are the things that I need to do to help me mature in my relationship with the Lord? What must I do when I am allowing the influence of this world to affect my spiritual maturity in Christ Jesus?

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them up to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, please help me to stay focus on pursuing my spiritual maturity. The ways of this world are all around me, and I can easily be influenced by the things that I see, hear, and feel. If I am heading in the wrong direction right now, please steer me back to you. I want to learn and continue to grow in my faith in you. Bring godly, mature Christians in my path to help me grow spiritually because the sinful ways of this world will only lead me to destruction. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.