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HIGHER GROUNDS – MARKS OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION WHAT IS SPIRITUAL MATURITY? Christianity without a goal will lead to frustration and confusion. In fact, Christianity is, so to say, a means to an end. It is a spiritual journey of a life time, which has a beginning, a middle course and an end. Each stage of this journey has its own life span and attendant signs, problems and expectations. It is only natural that a newly born child should not be the same in all respects with another who is one year old. The same is applicable in spiritual circle. The blind man at Bethsaida told Jesus after the first touch that he could see people who looked like trees walking around. Our Lord Jesus Christ was not surprised at this. But he was expecting better result after the second touch. Once more, the scriptures record that Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes, and his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 22 They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. 23He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?" 24He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around." 25Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26Jesus sent him home, saying, "Don't go into the village." (Mark 8:22-26). Apostle Paul puts it this way: “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.” (1 Corinthians 13:11). The genuine disciple of Christ earnestly desires a closer walk with God and a greater conformity to Christ. If these are absent, there is reason to doubt the genuineness of the discipleship. But many true lovers of the Lord are beset with a sense of inadequacy and failure in living the Christian life as it ought to be lived. They are very conscious as St. Paul that they have not already attained, neither are they perfect but the yearn to know Christ better and serve him more worthily. 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14). God has a clearly defined objective for each of His children – that they might be “Conformed to the image of his son.” (Romans 8:29). He exhorts us to “Leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity …” (Hebrews 6:1). Jesus is our perfect example of spiritual maturity. What is the goal of the Christian life? St. Paul left the Colossians Christians in no doubt as to his view of the subject: “We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect (mature) in Christ.” (Colossians 1:28). He set the goal clearly before the Ephesians: “Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13). And in his prayers for them he said: 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, (Ephesians 1:17-20). So then, the goal of the Christian life is to attain, in ever-increasing degree, the standard of spiritual maturity, which was seen in perfection in Christ. St. John said with keen anticipation: “When he shall appear, we shall be like him: for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2). Could there be any higher glory? In a word, spiritual maturity is Christ-likeness. In every life situation our Lord reacted in a mature way. Christ set the standard in everything. He was never petulant (irritable, bad-tempered, ill-tempered), always calm; never rebellious, always obedient; never fearful, always courageous; never vacillating (wavering, indecisive, irresolute, uncertain, hesitant), always resolute; never pessimistic, always cheerful; never subtle, always sincere; never grasping (greedy, avaricious), always generous; never acting from expediency (convenience, self-interest), always from principle. He is the absolute pattern of spiritual maturity. Spiritual maturity is not an automatic process that takes place by mere passage of time. We have to press on to it. Like the popular song that says: Higher Ground Johnson Oatman, Jr., 1898 (1856-1922)
Moral earnestness and endeavour are involved if the goal is to be achieved. It is not merely a mental apprehension of spiritual things or the ability to do spiritual work. It is primarily concerned with our attitudes to God and our fellow men. It is an ability to meet the demands and emergencies of every day life in a mature and not in a childish way. Our Lord commended the childlike spirit but nowhere encouraged a childish attitude in life situations. He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:2-4). “I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." (Luke 18:17). The spiritually mature Christian is one who is able to function happily in any circumstances. Perhaps a consideration of the marks of spiritual maturity will highlight its opposite. The spiritually immature person meets adult situations and tests with childish and immature reactions. This always produces tension and strain with all the attendant problems. When sorry strikes, he is inclined to indulge in an orgy of self-centred emotion. If financial reverses come, he is at loss to know why this should come to him, and he blames God. When hopes are dashed, he loses heart and drops his bundle. When adversity overtakes him, he is swallowed up in self-pity. In domestic difficulties, he indulges in tantrums or sulks (bad-temper) and creates an atmosphere that mars home unity. Have you not heard some Christians, ‘I will not attend that fellowship or go to that Church because when I was sick no one came to visit me or when I had my baby, no one came to visit me? Can we call these people mature Christians? What excuse will they have for God on the judgement day for neglecting the gathering of believers? A brother came to the elder’s meeting of a particular fellowship one day to report that a sister accused falsely accused him. To him it was tantamount to character assassination and for that purpose he had made up his mind to get her arrested by the police if nothing was done quickly. The most amazing thing was this brother was among the brethren held in high esteem in terms of spirituality but here we are, hearing the same brother threatening fire and brimstone against his fellow sister in the Lord. What does the scripture tell us concerning this? Lawsuits Among Believers: 1If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? 2Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 4Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church! 5I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 6But instead, one brother goes to law against another—and this in front of unbelievers! 7The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers. (1 Corinthians 6:1-8). When placed (the spiritually immature) with other difficult people, he falls a prey to censorious (disapproving, faultfinding) criticism and ‘gives as good as he gets.’ When God or man thwarts his will, he becomes rebellious and bitter. St. Paul was another perfect example of spiritual maturity: “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11-13). So then our spiritual maturity or immaturity is seen in the manner in which we react to the changing circumstances of life. It should be noted, however, that spiritual maturity does not come to anyone naturally. It has to be learned. Is it not striking that it is recorded of Christ that, “Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him (Hebrews 5:8-9). He alone was fully mature. The rest of us are ‘going unto maturity.’ In all of us there are some expressions of our personality in which we react immaturely instead of as mature men of God. We all are called to desire spiritual maturity, St. Peter said: “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.” (1 Peter 2:2). To be spiritually mature is a question of complementing your faith with virtues. Again St. Peter said: “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.” (2 Peter 1:5-9). Therefore, dear friends, grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever! Amen. Higher Ground Poem Walking Like Jesus Walking like Jesus – We’re walking in love Wise as a serpent – Gentle as a dove Walking like Jesus – Forgiving each other Never holding grudges against any brother Walking like Jesus – We’re filled with the Spirit And when we see evil – We do not go near it Walking like Jesus – In might and in power We’ll not suffer satan one day or one hour Walking like Jesus – In unyielding faith We press toward the mark – To go in the Straight Gate Walking like Jesus – And always in prayer He’s taken our burdens – He really does care Walking like Jesus – We have divine health Right standing with God and inherited wealth Walking like Jesus – As sons of the King We abide in His Shadow and under His Wing Walking like Jesus – In obedience to God Comforted always by His staff and His rod Walking like Jesus – We die to the flesh Crucified with Him – And with him resurrect Walking like Jesus – Giving praise to the Lord Wearing the armour and wielding the sword Walking like Jesus is our main goal in life And through Him we conquer tribulation and strife Without the Lord Jesus – We are empty and hollow We know the Lord’s voice – And only Him will we follow. By Robbin Milam Hall, 1981 Evang. John Bamidele Oseh
Foreword One of my most favourite Bible stories is that of the Transfiguration. In this event, Jesus took Peter, James and John to a high mountain to pray. In the process, these privileged apostles beheld the vision of Moses and Elijah alongside with Jesus. Peter was so carried away by the vision that he remarked that it was very good for them to be there. He asked Jesus to allow him erect dwelling tents for Himself, Moses and Elijah. St. Mark tells us that Peter did not know what to say (Mark 9:6). It is indeed so. Like Peter, many of us think that the salvation we have received in Jesus Christ is a once and for all thing. So we can get settled and forget about everything else. Far from this, salvation is a process and the one saved still faces the challenges of everyday living. It is through them in union with the Lord that we can be victorious. (Romans 8:36-37). When we gave our lives to the Lord in exchange for a new one, things only began. Our weaknesses are still with us: “So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:21-24) We, therefore, suppose to give over all these areas to Him and to strive in a life of discipline to co-operate with him as he turns us into new creatures. John Oseh in his characteristic simple but in-depth exposition outlines to us ways by which we can attempt this herculean task. He does not pretend that the process is an easy one. In any case, he is still able to point out without making a lot of bones about it how serene and rewarding the life of the Spirit is in contrast to that of the flesh. In a generation when many Christians are out to harness the message of their crooked ways in order to be successful in life, we need to be reminded that the Christian message makes demands on us. We cannot afford to pick and choose only what is palatable and rationalise away what does not suit us. John Oseh’s painstaking presentation can serve as a map in the spiritual life for any one yearning for a deep relationship with God. It is a path to Adult Christianity. Rev. Fr. Joseph Salihu |