In my last message I quoted a definition of what a mature Christian should or would look like: Someone who produces more than they consume! As this message could get lengthy, take time to get a cuppa whatever, sit back and reflect as you read. Don't forget to be a Berean. Check the scriptures for yourself!!
For a minute, let's step back and look at where each of us has been, what has happened to us through faith in Jesus Christ, and the road believers ought to travel in their quest for maturity. I will use a diagram to demonstrate the whole process, and endeavor to expound upon salient truths from God's Word, as it applies to the journey.
3 RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT (+)
{Acts 2:38}
2 BAPTIZED IN WATER ( )
1 REPENTANCE (Isaiah 30:21)
C The State or Condition of Sin
In the Revelation, Jesus is identified as the ALPHA and the OMEGA (Rev. 1:8.), the beginning and the end. Today we would say He is A to Z, and all the letters in between.
The story of mankind begins in the Garden of Eden. This would be position A on the diagram. By position C, we learn from Genesis 1-3 the results of disobedience to God's commandments. Decisions have consequences and their decision to disobey God has resulted in every descendent of Adam and Eve receiving a law in their members (body parts2) called sin. As I stated previously, we are not sinners because we sin, we sin because we are and have been born sinners. (I didn't say it, God did-Romans 3:23.)
Position C represents the state of sin man fell into. He is separated from God and deserving of judgment. At this point, every person is dead in sins and trespasses. We need someone to save us so when we die we will not be separated from God for all eternity. At this point you are saying, "That's not fair!" "What did I ever do to merit being separated from God for all eternity?"
You're right it's not fair. You didn't have to do anything because you inherited this state from your parents and they inherited it from their parents all the way back to the beginning. God is not to be blamed either. He much preferred that the first parents obey Him, but they didn't. God's justice demanded they be driven out of the garden and away from His presence. The relationship between God and Adam and Eve, and for that matter all mankind, had suffered a terrible and fatal tragedy-broken fellowship.
"Feel better knowing you didn't cause this tragedy to happen?" "No?" Well, don't fret, I promise not to leave you at position C for very long. There is a remedy and some explanation is needed for us to understand how it works. Remember, because all of us are dead in sins and trespasses, we cannot save ourselves by good works or any other means.
For our purposes, history before the birth of Jesus Christ, while important in itself, is not germane to our quest for truth and a solution to a common problem mankind faces today. In every persons' darkest hour Jesus seeks us out and meets us at position C. As we are dead, we can't go to Him, so He comes to us via the Holy Spirit and the Gospel.
Without going into elaborate detail, let's just agree that Jesus' death on the cross, satisfied God's requirement for judgment on sin by taking all of mankind's sins upon Himself and shedding His blood for our redemption/salvation. It is this remedy that God offers all who are willing to receive it. Galatians 4:4-6 tells us:
"But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, (that everyone) that we might receive the adoption of sons." K. J. V. (emphasis mine.)
Three things occur when a person receives Jesus Christ into their life. Acts 2:38 as identified by numbers 1, 2, and 3.
"Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."" N. I. V.
Number one is where we hear, believe the Gospel and repent of our sins. Number 2 is water baptism (the - sign), which signifies to the world that we, by faith, identify with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ nothing more. Number three shows us we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
"For in Him (Jesus Christ) all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and he is the head over all rule and authority; and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ;" Colossians 2:9-11. N. A. S. B. (Emphasis mine.)
The above quoted scripture is mysterious. Mysterious in that it tells us something about God that the human mind simply cannot understand. If we could, we would be like God. Regardless, in receiving Jesus Christ as our personal savior, He does something within us. He gives us (through circumcision) a new heart. In scriptural terms the heart is the seat of emotions. Before, when we were dead in sins and trespasses, our heart was hard, cold, and dead.
When the Holy Spirit comes into us and dwells within us, He comes into this new heart, and restores our relationship to God. That would be position D. One of His many tasks in the life of each believer is to conform us to the image of God's Son, Jesus Christ. He is the one who leads us in our journey from D to Omega.
Consequently, by God's power, we are restored in our relationship to Him and arrive at position D. We are J u s t i f i e d (notice the dotted line B……..D), meaning, Just As If We Had Never Sinned (or inherited a sin condition.) Position D is where each believer begins (or should begin) his or her journey toward maturity according to the plan God has for each of us.
Maturity and usefulness are produced as we journey D to Omega (or Z). God won't force anyone to make this pilgrimage against his or her will. However, to not make it, but remain in spiritual infancy, has serious consequences. This state has been called the Eternal Childhood of the Believer for they are content to remain at position D. Yes, when they die, their destination is heaven, but read what the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 to understand the consequences:
"For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." K. J. V.
What ever is laid up in heaven, there comes a time when all believers appear before the Bema Seat (judgment) of Christ for the above to occur. How sad it is that there comes a loss of reward; yet how glad it is the person made it into heaven. Decisions have consequences. Our journey (D - Omega) could be called O. J. T., or On The Job training.
The job training: at this point, I prefer to stay with a general overview regarding maturity instead of looking at too many details. I hope to pursue this at another time. For those having little knowledge of scripture, I realize that I have touched on a number of mysteries in the Bible without explaining very much. I will endeavor to clear some of them up at a later time.
Let's say you are the owner of a large corporation. You hire new people every day. Q: "How would you go about training them, first as an apprentice, then progressively into management?"
One consideration can be seen in Romans 12, particularly vs. 6-8. As you reflect on this chapter, remember to keep these verses in context to the chapter and those surrounding it.
As a good employer, one who wants to reward honest labor, you will, on occasion bestow certain favors on those who have proven dependable and trustworthy. God acts similarly, by bestowing blessings, as you will read in Romans 12.
Therefore we read in 1 Corinthians 12, that through the Holy Spirit, God sovereignly bestows a variety of gifts. Q: "What is God's purpose in doing this?" "Can these gifts be earned?" Compare Romans 7 with 1 Corinthians 12 to determine your thoughts on this.
After study and prayer, in doing this comparison, you should be able to know the truth, for the Holy Spirit will lead you into truth; and the truth will become operative in your life.
That's The Way I See It. Should you see it somewhat differently, let me know for I would be interested in your viewpoint and the reasoning behind it.
