What are some secrets for maturing in Christ?
1 Corinthians 9:24-27Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
To reach spiritual maturity, we must discipline ourselves like athletes. Athletes excel as they exercise and push the boundaries of their physical capabilities. When we give as much emphasis to spiritual discipline, we will experience a deepening faith and a maturity in the way we approach life.
Hebrews 10:25Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
The encouragement of our church family strengthens us in our spiritual journey.
2 Timothy 2:1-2Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.
One of the most important reasons we strive for maturity is to pass an example on to others. If we want to leave a legacy of godliness, contentment, and joy, we must always start with our own lives and the examples we set.
Ephesians 5:1-2Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
1 Peter 2:21God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.
1 John 2:6Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.
Jesus is our ultimate example of spiritual maturity. As God’s children, we should always seek to imitate the character of our heavenly Father, and Jesus is our perfect role model for this.
Luke 11:13“So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”
John 14:26“But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”
Romans 8:26The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.
Galatians 5:22-23, 25The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! . . . Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.
God does not leave us to struggle to become spiritually mature alone. He sends us a Helper—the Holy Spirit—to shape us to become like him. We can ask God to fill us with his Spirit and learn to listen for his voice. The better we know God from his Word, the easier we will recognize his voice (1 John 4:1–3).
