Seven Areas Of Spiritual Maturity!

INTRODUCTION!

We could probably sum up what your mission in life is with what Paul told the Corinthians. "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,..." (II Cor.5:20); Being an "ambassador" for Christ is far more than just being a "believer" or a "follower" of Christ. Every aspect of our lives must reflect the life of Jesus Christ that is within us. His life should be emanating and radiating out from us. Our daily lives should reflect who He is within and through us individually. This is true Christianity. This is what God intended the Christian life to be. Each of us should take the call to be ambassadors for Christ more seriously. If more Christians would take this charge to heart and sincerely seek to be godly ambassadors for the Kingdom of God, radical revival would spread rapidly.

When we approach the Throne of God, we each will be judged. Many people have the notion that in Heaven everyone will be equal, on the same level of spirituality, and receive equal rewards. Likewise they assume that those who go to Hell will receive equal punishments. I don't see that idea taught in Scripture. It seems to me that there are definitely various levels of rewards and punishment. Truly the Holy Bible shows that everyone, including Christians, will have to stand before the Lord and be judged. However, rest assured that Christians will not receive judgment for their sins. The sin issue has already been judged. Jesus received the full penalty and punishment due for all of your sins. It would be unjust for you to receive judgment for them again.

But I believe, based on what I have seen in the Word of God, that there will be a time of just judgment, even for those of us who call ourselves followers of Jesus Christ. In fact, it seems to me that there are seven areas in which the Born-again Christian will receive judgment. Each of these area of judgment are areas in which we are commissioned by the Word of God to seek to mature and develop now in this life-time. Our final destiny will be a place of great joy and peace, not sorrow. Therefore, these judgments amount to rewards that we will receive, not punishments. Most Christians are spiritually mature in some areas yet very weak in other areas. But I believe that all seven of these areas are very important. So I want to help you to grow up in all seven areas. Some of these seven areas overlap a little, but I think it is important that we see each of them separately.

II.  SEVEN AREAS OF REWARDS!

A.  Spiritual Fruit: (Ga.5:22-23; Mt.12:33; Lk.6:44)

Spiritual fruit should be evident in the life of mature Christians. Surely the Fruit of the Spirit is a sign of spiritual maturity. We can expect that God will be inspecting our fruit on Judgment Day. He is the Master fruit inspector. We are known by our fruit. As you grow in the Christian walk, you should be demonstrating greater evidence of love, joy, peace, patience, etc.

B.  Soul Winning: (Pr.11:30; Mt.28; Mk.16; Ph.4:1; I Th.2:19-20)

This is the basic message of the Great Commission. God wants us to be about the business of expanding the Kingdom of God. Paul stated that those who have come to Christ as a result of his efforts are his crown and reward. There is no greater deed you can do in life than to bring someone from the path of damnation to the road to eternal life in Christ. We have to conclude that those who have brought hundreds to Christ will be greatly rewarded for their fruitful diligence.

C.  Works: (II Cor.3:8,11-15; Ep.2:10)

This may surprise some, because of our emphasis on the grace of God. Certainly we believe that your works have nothing to do with your salvation. But Scripture makes it very clear that Christians are expected to put their hands to the plow and produce good works in the Kingdom of God. Your good deeds and works will be judged. God expects you to be doing things that promote His Kingdom. I emphasize regularly that all Christians are ministers. It is important that you see yourself as a minister of the Gospel, even if you never pastor a church nor preach a sermon. You are a minister of the Gospel and you must be involved in the church, or in some way working to promote His Kingdom.

D. Obedience: (Ec.12:13)

Solomon declares that this is the whole duty of man! Besides all that I've mentioned up till now, I believe that you will be judge on your obedience. Besides the principles that are clearly given in Scripture, God speaks to us by His Spirit. You will be judged by your obedience to that still small voice. Are you attending the church that He has told you to attend? Are you going down the career path that He has nudged you towards? Are you dating believers or unbelievers? Are you obedient to Him in your finances? Are you walking in obedience to His every command to the best of your ability. We should have the mind-set that His slightest wish is our greatest command.

E.  Doctrinal Beliefs: (III Jn.4; II Pe.1:5; He.6:1-3; II Tm.2:15; Ps.138:2; Rv.2 & 3)

Many will say that it doesn't really matter what church you go to our what your doctrinal beliefs are. I would say that for salvation, there is a degree of truth to that. Salvation is simply based on our faith in the work of redemption provided by Jesus Christ. But beyond that, God expects us to grow in knowledge and understanding of who He is, what His plan is, and other Biblical Truth. After all, God's greatest joy is to know that we are walking in Truth. He declares that He exalts His Word above His Name. Paul told Timothy to study to show himself approved of God. We also see that God seems to get upset when His people believe or tolerate wrong doctrine.

F.  Faith: (Rm.1:16-17; He.11:6)

Obviously, God expects us to grow in the area of faith. He expects us to fully trust Him 100%. It is faith that makes our prayers effective. Faith is the key missing ingredient in the lives of the vast majority of Christians. They say that they trust Him, but when they have their back against the wall, they crumble under the pressure. Surely, God will judge us by how much we truly trust Him in every aspect of our lives.

G.  Spiritual Gifts: (II Cor.3:17-18; I Cor.12-14)

One measure of spiritual maturity is our sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to use us in the Spiritual Gifts. It is not important how often you operate in the spiritual gifts, nor is it important how many spiritual gifts you have. The important issue is how sensitive you are to His leading.

III.  CONCLUSIONS!