The one thing needed by most congregations of the Lord’s Church doesn’t cost a penny. We can put millions into new buildings, exciting entertainment and comedians in the pulpit.
However, the problems are internal and they are causing great damage among God’s people. The importance of spiritual maturity in our Christian lives cannot be overestimated.
Without it, we can destroy the Lord’s work in the communities we serve. Spiritually immature Christians are deadly to the work of the Church. They bring the sins of the flesh into the Lord’s body and we fight, argue, divide and misrepresent Christ to the world.
The job of God’s people is to glorify Christ through teaching, serving and helping others (Ephesians 3:20- 21). How can we do that unless we become the kind of people God desires?
The writer of Hebrews criticizes his readers for being “dull of hearing” (Hebrews 5:11), which means that they were sluggish and lazy mentally. They needed to invigorate their minds with the gospel (Hebrews 5:12- 13).
God’s people must become hungry, eager students of Scripture so they can make proper decisions on a daily basis (Hebrews 5:14). Christians that are transformed no longer live as the world and must be wiser in their choices (Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:17).
Spiritual maturity will yield fruit that will make a profound impact in our communities. If an entire congregation is growing spiritually, powerful things can happen.
* Unity and peace will transform our spiritual atmosphere (Ephesians 4:12).
* Grace, trust, kindness and gentleness will change our relationships (1 John 4:7-19).
* Courage, patience and love will transform evangelism (Matthew 28:18-20).
* Teamwork will transform service and benevolence (Philippians 2:1-4).
* Godly lives will create new opportunities (Ephesians 4:15).
* Christ will have a throne in our midst (Acts 2:41-47).
Spiritual maturity is desperately needed today. The Church needs everyone on task and involved spiritually if we will change the world. Souls are dying while our immaturity allows Satan to ravage our congregations.
* When will we awaken and take a stand?
* When will we take Bible study seriously?
* When will we finally become what God wants us to be?
“For you were bought at a price; therefore
glorify God in your body and in your spirit,
which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:20, NKJV).