SPIRITUAL MATURITY—BECOMING LIKE CHRIST!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY AUGUST 23, 2020.

SUBJECT: SPIRITUAL MATURITY—BECOMING LIKE CHRIST!

Memory verse:  "Till we all come to the unity of the faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." (Ephesians 4 vs 13.)

READ:  Ephesians 4 vs 11 - 16:

4:11: And He Himself gave some apostles, some, prophets, some evangelists; and some pastors and teachers, 
4:12: for the equipping of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; 
4:13: till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ;
4:14: that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
4:15: but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—

4:16: from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

INTIMATION:

Spiritual maturity—becoming like Christ, is neither instant nor automatic; it is a gradual, progressive development that will take the rest of your life. You are a work in progress. Your spiritual transformation in developing the character of Jesus will take the rest of your life, and even then it won't be completed here on earth. It will only be finished when you get to heaven or when Jesus returns. At that point, whatever unfinished work on your character that is left will be wrapped up.

God is more interested in building your character than He is in anything else. God is more interested in what you are than in what you do. We are human beings, not human doings. God is much more concerned about your character than your career, because you will take your character into eternity, but not your career. There can be many different careers that could be in God's Will for your life, but His utmost care is that whatever you do, you do it in a Christlike manner. 

The apostle Paul in reference to doing all things in Christlike manner said, in the following Scripture passages: "Therefore, whether you eat and drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (First Corinthians 10 vs 31); "Let all you do be done with love." (First Corinthians 16 vs 14.); "And whatever you do in word and deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." (Colossians 3 vs 17.); "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men." (Colossians 3 vs 23.)

Doing "all in the name of the Lord Jesus" means bringing honor to Christ in every aspects and activities of daily living. As a Christian, you represent Christ at all times; wherever you go, and whatever you do and say. Always ask yourself these pertinent questions, "What impression do people have of Christ when they see or talk with me?” "What changes would I make in my life in order to honor Christ?" Regard whatever you do or say as an act of worship or service to God. This would help you treat your job, actions, and words as the cost of discipleship.

In describing the mature Christian, the apostle Paul says that one of the marks is “speaking the truth in love.” This sounds so simple, but it seems so hard for us to do. Some of us are fairly good at speaking the truth, but we forget to be loving. Some of us are good at being loving, but we don’t have it in us to level with others if the truth is painful. The instruction here is to do both: Speak the truth, but do it in a loving manner. Think of the trouble we would spare ourselves if we followed this practice, especially in the church! When you have a problem with another believer, don’t go to someone else with it. Go directly to that person, and speak the truth in love.

So many people are in love with themselves, and put self before anything else, including God. They have abandoned living for God's great purposes and settled for personal fulfillment and emotional stability. Jesus did not die on the cross that we could live comfortable, well-adjusted lives. His purpose is far deeper. He wants to make us like Himself before taking us to heaven. This is our greatest privilege, our immediate responsibility, and our ultimate destiny.

Prayer: Abba Father,  endue with the spirit of love, humility, and obedience, that I may do all things in ChristlIke manner, and pleasing You at all times, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!