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Spiritual Maturity - An Imperative
Religious leaders tend to observe the demands of the people. Leaders like Aaron, Saul and Jeroboam all had an ear for the people's requests and 'needs' but by complying, only led them into spiritual degeneration or debauchery. Today's dominant spiritual climate is similar. Leaders tend to satisfy the people's whims and fancies rather than uphold God's standards for holiness and mature christian stature.
God's Design for Adam
Although the first Adam was created perfect, he was in a state of immaturity. In order to achieve his ordained destiny as ruler of this planet, he had to pass a series of tests designed to establish obedience and a proper relationship with God. We could say Adam needed to grow from a state of innocence to a state of holiness. Only then would he be fit to govern.
Progression in Israel
"When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt." (Hosea 11:1) In the story of Israel, we have a revelation of God's love and tender care. His relationship to them in the early years, much like that of parent with child, was basically one of provision and protection. Then followed their appointed time in the wilderness, of which the Lord said, "...as a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God (was chastening, Amp.) thee." (De.8:5) This time of chastening - child training, instruction and discipline - was designed to prepare them for rulership in the land of Canaan. God's way with any people is always that of growth and development unto maturity before His full purpose can be realized. Can positions of rulership in the Kingdom be granted to spiritual babes? (See Ma.20:20-23; Rev.2:26,27;3:21)
Jesus' Mission
As we move from the Old Testament into the age of grace and the church, we find that God's purpose remains the same. There's a sense in which the New Testament is merely a continuation of the Old, for that which had been hidden in type and shadow, now becomes spiritual reality and fulfillment. Although popular Christianity makes the theme 'getting saved and going to heaven' the main focus, Jesus' mission was far greater than that. His mission is summed up in Hebrews 2:10 in the phrase, "...bringing many sons unto glory..." This is not fulfilled merely by the birth of spiritual babes, but by the growth and development of believers unto maturity. The goal must ever remain, "...the unity of the faith...the (full) knowledge of the Son of God...a perfect (full-grown) man...the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." (Ephesians 4:13)
God's law of sowing and reaping guarantees that every seed will produce after its kind. This law is constantly in evidence in both the plant and animal kingdom. It is likewise true spiritually. Jesus, as the seed which fell into the ground in death, will surely produce a harvest of mature sons. He did not die as a baby. But He who is the captain of our salvation passed every test of obedience, was made perfect through sufferings, and went to the cross as a mature son. (See Hebrews 2:10; 5:8) Since the seed that was planted was a mature son, the harvest will also be that of mature sons.
It is time that the church stop focusing on feeling good, partying, having fun, and being entertained, and get down to the serious matter of providing the meat of the word which will promote spiritual growth and maturity. Kindergartens and playpens must be turned into serious holy environments. Human programs must be replaced by the pure workings of the Holy Spirit. The music and methods of the world need to be thrown out so that God's awesome presence can return to His temple. Church leaders whose drive is to have church auditoriums full of people (of ten for selfish motives), must begin placing a premium on quality rather than quantity. We declare repeatedly, the Heavenly Father will never be satisfied with millions of babies in heaven!
The Father's Yearning
"Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until (it) receive the early and the latter rain." (James 5:7) What kind of fruit is spoken of here? What is the Father really yearning for? The 'early rains' were required for the proper tilling of the ground and sowing of the seed, but the 'latter rains' were required for the maturity of the grain. Although a farmer could rejoice in seeing the sprouting of seed and growth of plants, his ultimate joy would come by reaping a bountiful harvest. Likewise, our Heavenly Father's deep yearning is for the fruit of 'mature sons', fashioned after the likeness of His first lovely Son, the Lord Jesus.
While we rejoice over the pure fruits of evangelism -oh, yes, let thousands upon thousands be saved - yet, we long for the day when evangelism is followed by true shepherding unto maturity. The milk of the word should be followed by the meat of the word. Initial salvation should be followed by an immersion in the Holy Spirit. Ministry gifts should be imparted and believers should begin to assume responsibility in the house of God.
In order for new converts to become established and to stand in the fury of the 'evil day', they must be exposed to the 'five-fold ministry' of Ephesians 4:11. A 'one-man band' ministry will not mature the saints. We must seek out and open our hearts to God's ordained apostles and prophets and arrange for the saints to become recipients of their ministries.
The Burden of the Holy Spirit
"Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection, not laying again the foundation..." (He.6:1) Although foundations are extremely important, there comes a time in a believer's life and in a church's history when going beyond the foundations is of the essence. The burden of the Spirit in the above verse is for 'perfection', meaning spiritual maturity, completeness in Christ and fulfillment of God's ultimate purpose.
Two undesirable conditions are much in evidence today: (1) Spiritual retardation and stagnation coming from the repetitive preaching of foundational doctrines, such as outlined in Hebrews 6:1,2. (2) A lack of spiritual substance and stability in many believers, the result of empty and frivolous 'ministry' given the saints by their leaders. (See 1 Corinthians 3:10-15) We note the abounding use of drama, choreographic dancing, banner waving, highly emotional environments, counterfeit 'revivals' and an endless number of religious gimmicks. The spirit, methods and philosophy of the world are today pervading many segments of the church.
Paul's Travail
Those close to the heart of God and carrying a genuine burden have always lamented when apostasy has set in. Moses groaned at the golden calf. Samuel mourned over Saul. Jeremiah became a weeping prophet. The remnant in Ezekiel's day sighed and cried over conditions.
Among the many ways the Apostle Paul has inspired us, we mention here his comprehension of and commitment to God's full purpose for His church. He did not stop with evangelism or the founding of churches, but continued to carry a burden for the maturity of the saints. In Colossians 1:28 we hear a man striving 'to present every man perfect in Christ Jesus'. To the Galatians, he declares, "My little children, of whom I travail in birth again, until Christ be (Gr: fully) formed in you." (Gal.4:19)
To the wavering Hebrews he chides, "For (by this time) ye ought to be teachers, but ye have need that one teach you again (the first principles)." [He.5:12, Revised Version in parenthesis.]
It is my observation that far worse conditions prevail today in the ranks of the 'saved'. The multiplied incidents of 'spiritual birth defects' -due to conversions without repentance - and 'spiritual retardation' - due to the lack of proper nutrition - are producing an anemic, weak and powerless church. In view of the approaching final conflict, such conditions should drive us all to 'weep between the porch and the altar' and to cry 'spare thy people, O, Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach.' (Joel 2:17)
The Groan of Creation
Meanwhile, all creation groans in a sort of universal travail. It somehow knows that its deliverance from the curse is linked to the manifestation of the sons of God-not babes but mature sons. Phillips, in his translation, depicts 'all creation as standing on tiptoe to see God's sons coming into their own.' Their hope for deliverance from the 'tyranny of change and decay' lies in the church coming unto full stature and being ready for that hour of glorious 'manifestation'. (See Romans 8:18-21, Phillips' Letters to Young Churches) Indeed, the foregoing scripture promises that 'all creation shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the (liberty of the glory) of the children of God.' It is to this end that creation presently groans and travails, awaiting the coming of this new order. (See Ro.8:22)
Where are we spiritually and what are we doing? Are we mired in dead religious form and ritual? Or deceived by man-made hype which is labeled 'revival'? Have we settled for the gift of eternal life and now content to go to heaven one day? Are we focusing on material and natural prosperity while growing lean spiritually? Or are we pressing toward the mark for the prize?
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