FIVE STEPS TO SPIRITUAL MATURITY

FIVE STEPS TO SPIRITUAL MATURITY (part 2)

 

In part 1 we discussed five Greek words that are used in the NT to describe the spiritual maturity of natural children. Then we compared them with how these stages of life might be seen to describe the steps of spiritual maturity in followers of Jesus. We all start out as "newborn babes" when we are converted to faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior. As "infants" we all require constant care for the first few months, or even years. Then as we progress to the "toddler" stage we start doing things for ourselves, and gradually become more independent from our parents. Then when we enter the third stage we called "learning", from kindergarten through university we should be finding our place in society, and in the Christian community. We are expected to become "mature" believers by around 30 years of age, when a Jewish young man could become a member in the Sanhedrin, and the age that Jesus started His public ministry. Then our maturity level should progress to becoming an elder among the people, and eventually qualify for the position of "ambassador". This final stage of maturity gives us the right and responsibility of representing the Kingdom of God on earth! This is the way this process should work, but unfortunately for various reasons, it seldom does.

 

In part 1 we listed scripture passages that explain why people don't mature properly in their spiritual journey. There are really many reasons, and behind them all we have an evil adversary who hates God, and does everything in his power to prevent God's children from advancing in their spiritual lives. Satan has infiltrated the church and society in such a way, by the use of deception, that the church is more or less helpless to deliver people from their bondages. How can a church that has allowed the world system to influence its members into doing the same things they do, expect to see them advance spiritually, and extend the Kingdom of God? Somehow there needs to be a mighty move of the Holy Spirit, bringing people to repentance for their sinful life styles, like we read about in former days. People have to grow up, and become mature followers of Jesus, and not follow every exciting new teaching that comes along. Many of these teachings are false "Doctrines of demons" (1 Tim 4: 1-2), and (2 Tim 3:1-5). Remember the warnings given to us by Jesus in (Matt 24: 4, 5, 11, 24) and by Paul in

(2 Cor 11:12-15)! With warnings like these in the scriptures to guide us, we sure need spiritual maturity and discernment to survive these last days!

Sincerely submitted.

Dave Jamer

FIVE STEPS TO SPIRITUAL MATURITY (part 1)

FIVE STEPS TO SPIRITUAL MATURITY (part 1)

 

I have never been a Greek scholar, so my very limited knowledge of this wonderful language that most of our NT was written in has come to me second hand. Two Bible teachers that I have followed and respect as scholars are Derek Prince and Bob Mumford. Recently I was listening to one of Bob's CD's on which he was explaining the 5 different Greek words used to describe the growth of children in scripture. The first is the word for "infants"; at this stage they need constant care. This is followed by one meaning very young children, who we might consider as "toddlers", who are learning to do things for themselves, but still need lots of supervision and training. The third word could represent the whole adolescence, and educational stage of a young person's growth, which we might call the "learning" stage. This would include from school through university, when that young adult is learning information and skills to prepare them for their adult life. The fourth stage is what Paul addresses in (Rom 8:18-25) where the Greek word used for God's adopted children means "mature sons".

The fifth and final word used is the word translated as "ambassadors".

 

So as we consider the spiritual growth of a follower of Jesus, it should help us to consider these 5 separate stages in the natural growth of a person from an infant to a mature adult. I believe when we read about over comers in the book of Revelation, it is referring to the fifth and final stage of ambassadors!

What can we learn from this comparison of the natural progression of a human child, to that of a spiritual child of God? The first thing that I have seen in my journey is that very few people seem to reach stage 4, and become mature believers. Several passages of scripture address this problem, like (Eph 4:11-13), and (Heb 5:11-14). These are easy to understand passages and the problem as I see it is twofold. In Ephesians 4 we see that the leaders God set in His Church to "equip God's people", have not done their job properly, and in the Hebrews 5 passage it would seem that the hearers were "spiritually dull" and couldn't take in what they were being taught. So which came first, was the problem with the teachers or the listeners? Probably with both groups, for various reasons; we haven't seen many authentic Apostles and Prophets in the modern church, and we have a lot of immature believers! A very dangerous mix in my opinion, especially in these last days when we are warned about the danger of deception by both Jesus, Paul and others! (more to follow)

Sincerely submitted.

Dave Jamer

SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF BIBLICAL PROPHESY

SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF BIBLICAL PROPHECY

 

This article is based on Derek Prince's book called "Prophetic Guide to the End Times", published in 2008. This is the title of chapter three that starts on page 32. We will look briefly at each of these principles, which I think are very well balanced, and based solidly on scripture.

1/ Some Prophecies Will Remain Secret--- This one is based on (Deut 20:29) "The secret things belong to the Lord our God,  but those things that are revealed belong  to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law". God has secrets that are none of our business, and we should not try to find out about them. For example the exact time of the second coming of Christ Jesus! We have to resist the temptation to try and find out these secrets, and anyone who pretends to know is a false prophet!

2/ Prophecy Is Given for A Reason---The purpose of prophecy is meant to give us things to do. Derek tells of one day in Kenya when they lived there in 1958, he had to go to another town to have his car serviced. He had a long list of things he wanted done to the car, and also a list of things he wanted to do in town. As he left the service station he says the Lord spoke to him about him needing "servicing", as well as the car. So instead of going shopping, he spent the day quietly on the beach fellowshipping with the Lord. As he opened his NT it fell open to (Matt 24:14), after spending some time meditating on this scripture that day, this book was a result many years later.

3/ Prophecy Is Given For A Specific Time And Situation---God does not always save us "from" things, but "out" of things. It is important to realize that, and not have unrealistic expectations.

4/ Prophecy Is Given For Guidance---If God has declared that a thing will not happen, it is a waste of time to pray that it will happen, or try to make it happen!

5/ The Spirit Of Prophecy Focuses On Jesus---(Rev 19:10) states "For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." Scripture here is talking about the spirit of prophecy and not the words of prophecy. Any prophecy that glorifies man, and not Jesus, is not real prophecy!

6/ Prophecy Means What It Says---Every prophecy concerning the first coming of Jesus was fulfilled literally. Although some prophecies may be allegorical, most are not, and must be understood to mean what they say. For example the church is not Israel, and Israel is not the church!

7/ God Has Total Sovereignty---He is sovereign and totally just and true. He has never said anything that is not true, and has never made a mistake!

If we keep these things in mind we are not so apt to be led astray be the many false prophets who are operating in the Body of Christ in our day. Jesus warned us of these men in (Matt 24:4, 5, 11, 24)!!

Sincerely submitted.

Dave Jam

GOD STILL MOVES

GOD STILL MOVES

 

This phrase is part of a song on a tape by Back to The Bible radio ministry that I heard recently. There is much more to the song, but these words have been constantly in my mind for days! The line these words are taken from states "In the hearts of people God still moves". I believe that is a powerful statement, and explains a very basic scriptural principal that it is the heart, or spirit of a human, that God moves in! Heart and spirit are often used interchangeably in scripture. As you probably know, we humans are created in the image and likeness of our Creator God. (Gen 1:26-27) Since God has revealed Himself as a "Trinity", so we are a three part being. Someone has described us as a "spirit", who has a "soul", who lives in a "body". I believe that to be a proper description of a human being, spirit, soul and body. Paul states that in

(1 Thess 5:23), where he clearly uses these three words to describe us followers of Jesus.

 

Church history records many moves of the Holy Spirit throughout the years since the first Pentecost of (Acts 2:4). Some of them have lasted for weeks, months, or sometimes years, but many were infiltrated by unholy spirits from the enemy's kingdom of darkness, and caused confusion and division! It would appear that every time there is a genuine move of God, Satan is quick to start a counter move, in an attempt to offset the real thing with a counterfeit move. It is often very difficult to tell the difference between a true and a false or counterfeit move of the Spirit. Paul lists the gifts of the Spirit in (1 Cor 12:7-11), in verse 10 he tells about one called "the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God, or from another spirit."

 

It seems to me that this might be the most important gift of the Spirit that the followers of Jesus require to stand against the deception that Jesus said to beware of in these last days! (Matt 24: 4, 5, 11, 24, 25). Paul also warns us in (2 Cor 11:13-15) to expect false prophets, and workers of iniquity sent forth by Satan to deceive believers, and hinder the extension of the Kingdom of God. So as followers of Jesus in these present times, let us pray for moves of God's Holy Spirit, both within the church, and outside the organized church structures. But let us also pray for the gift of discerning of spirits, so we can be able to discern between the true move of God, and the counterfeit moves of Satan. Yes, God still moves by His Spirit in the hearts of His people, but remember Satan still tries to hinder with his unholy spirits!

Sincerely submitted.

Dave Jamer