| 4 Stages of Christian Maturity |
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4 Stages of Christian Maturity
It is firstly important to realize the Truth that there are no grades or graduations nor competition in this christian journey as you walk personally, hand in hand with Christ towards the New Jerusalem being prepared in the heavenlies. Upon receiving the free gift of Salvation by the Grace, Mercy, and Love of our Heavenly Father who so Loved us that HE sent HIS only begotten Son and our Faith in HIM as the Messiah we begin our life in and through Christ Jesus as infant Christians, babes in Christ needing to be fed, "changed", and cuddled.
Just as a newborn baby cannot take in solid foods. We,too, must be led and fed as we grow into a mature christians. Just as we are told we are washed in the Blood of The Lamb, Jesus; whose blood covers all of our imperfections, blemishes, and sins; we are made perfect before God our Father in Heaven. God Loves us exactly as we are but Loves us enough not to leave us that way. We are being prepared to serve HIS purpose and HIS purpose alone. Each member having a specific calling of equal importance in our positions as members of the One Body of Christ. Remember, it is important to realize there are no grades, graduations time-tables nor competitions in this christian journey as you walk personally, hand in hand with Christ.
Stage 1- Born Again
Just as a new born baby needs someone to bring them the milk in a bottle, hold them loving arms and gently feed them; a newly reborn saved soul must be brought the milk of God- THe WORD and be fed patiently and meekly.
Stage 2- Feeding Self
As we begin to grow and mature in Christ, as a young christian we can be directed to the source of Life- The Word of God and begin to feed ourselves. The food , we are given, a desire to know Him more motivates the new christian to explore, inquire and have a desire for more food. The food made available and the young christian begins to feed him/herself.
Stage 3- Understanding the Source of Life
Just as an adolescent understands where the Food is stored; perhaps the refrigerator or the pantry; He/she having an increasing hunger begins to daily prepare the food and feed him/herself. So does a maturing christian at this point had an increase in hunger and desire for a more intimate relationship with Jesus. Without direction or prompting the maturing chistian now reaching adulthood is focussed first on Jesus and HIS purpose for his/her life- a daily focus on Christ Jesus.
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary 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 not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. Hebrews 5:12-14
Stage 4- Feeding Others-
| The outward sign of a Mature Christian, is evidenced by the fruit he is bearing, the faith he lives by, and focus:focus on Jesus, The Cross, and The Redemption. The Fruits of The Spirit are evidenced in the christians walk not talk. When I was younger, my brother Robert often reminded me that the best preacher is not the teacher but the "doer"So at this point of christian growth and maturity, we pray to be "living epistles"
"And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for {our} adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. Romans 8:23
Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, Hebrews 6:1
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Matt 28:19
Not that I have already obtained {it} or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of {it} yet; but one thing {I do:} forgetting what {lies} behind and reaching forward to what {lies} ahead, |
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
In closing, I wish only to encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ to continue seeking HIS Face to grow in the LOVE that is Christ Jesus.
Brother Matt
Jesus Loves Me
4:4 But he answered, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'"
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