Book Synopsis
Spiritual maturity is a process that begins when a person accepts Jesus Christ as Savior. He or she is born again of the Holy Spirit and then chooses to live “in Christ.”
The apostle Paul said that spiritual growth is an ongoing process. “12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold on me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God Has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12-14). Even the apostle Paul had not arrived, yet he continually pressed toward the prize.
Therefore, in order for Christian maturity to develop in your life, you must make a choice to learn God’s word, allow God to renew your mind, and then be obedient to what you learn.
Romans 12:1-2 says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good and pleasing and perfect will.”
Spiritual Maturity – Accomplishing Growth
What are the marks of spiritual maturity? Spiritual maturity is learning how-to walk-in obedience to God. It is making the choice to live by God’s viewpoint rather than your human viewpoint. Galatians 5:16 and 25 give the key, “So I say live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature (flesh). Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in (walk in) step with the Spirit.” The word “walk” in verse 25 is translated from another Greek word peripateo, which means “to walk with in step - one step at a time; I walk.” It is learning to walk under the instruction of another. That person is the Holy Spirit. Since believers are indwelt by the Spirit, they should walk under His control. This book is designed to offer some insights as to what it means to mature in our daily walk with God.