What other scriptures emphasize the importance of spiritual growth and maturity? A starting point: Isaiah 28:9 “To whom will He teach knowledge? To whom will He explain the message? Those weaned from milk, those taken from the breast?” • God longs to move His people beyond spiritual “milk” to deeper understanding. • The image of a child being weaned sets the tone: growth is expected, maturity is normal, and learning continues. Milk to meat: Hebrews 5:12-14; 6:1 • “Though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word… everyone who lives on milk is still an infant.” • Solid food belongs to “the mature.” • Therefore, “let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity.” Key idea: a believer stalls if content with basics; pressing forward is the mark of spiritual health. Growing up in Christ: 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 • “I could not address you as spiritual people, but as worldly—mere infants in Christ.” • Jealousy and strife reveal immaturity. Takeaway: character change—not knowledge alone—signals true growth. Equipped and unified: Ephesians 4:13-15 • “We all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ.” • No longer “infants, tossed about by every wind of teaching.” • “Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ.” Spiritual maturity produces stability, discernment, love, and Christ-likeness. Adding to your faith: 2 Peter 1:5-8 • “Make every effort to add to your faith virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love.” • “These qualities, if they abound, will keep you from being ineffective and unfruitful.” Growth is intentional: it involves effort, progress, and increasing fruit. Rooted and built up: Colossians 2:6-7; 1:9-10 • “As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him.” • Paul prays believers “may be filled with the knowledge of His will… bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God.” Healthy roots (doctrine) support visible fruit (works). Complete and lacking nothing: James 1:4; 1 Peter 2:2 • “Let perseverance finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” • “Like newborn infants, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.” Even trials become tools in God’s growth plan, and the Word remains constant nourishment. Scripture as training ground: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 • “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.” Maturity flourishes in hearts shaped by the whole counsel of God. Fruit that remains: John 15:1-8 • “Every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it to bear even more.” • “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples.” Abiding in Christ ensures ongoing growth, pruning, and abundant, lasting fruit. Putting it together • Spiritual growth is commanded, expected, and enabled by God. • Scripture, perseverance, community, and abiding in Christ work together to move us from infancy to maturity. • Wherever we begin, the Lord’s goal is clear: believers “complete, fully equipped,” reflecting the stature of Christ and producing fruit that glorifies the Father. |
    |