Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment… 1 Peter 2:2 (NLT)
Being a child is one thing. But maturity: full development; perfected condition; in your Christian walk, is another thing altogether. This is a level of life the Christian should seek to reach. Here are some basic steps that will lead one to grow as a Christian.
1. Recognizing and accepting Jesus as Lord
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.—Romans 10:9
This is where it all begins. There is no way to grow and mature as a Christian without becoming one. Many talk about and claim to be a Christian because of the church they attend, family belief, or even because they believe God exists…but none of this will make you a Christian. You must make the decision to receive Jesus as Lord of your life.
(If you have not truly done this, stop now, ask Jesus to come into your heart, and become your Lord and Savior, and then click here and pray the prayer I have there to receive Christ and to be filled with His Spirit.)
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.—John 3:3
The Kingdom of God is the spiritual realm where God resides and in which the Christian operates. We, as Christians, are expected to dominate in this earth’s realm…not the other way around. We must receive the free gift of righteousness, through faith, and walk in the newness of life in order to reach maturity as a Christian and to make a difference in the arena of life in which we live.
2. Spending enough time in prayer and meditation of the Word to get revelation
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.—Joshua 1:8
The Christian life is, first of all…a spiritual life. To believe otherwise is to allow yourself to be deceived. Everywhere we look, people are overwhelmed with the natural aspect of our lives without the understanding that everything starts from and has it’s beginning in the world of the Spirit.
We must believe when we envelope ourselves in prayer, walk in the Word, and the Spirit of God, we can and will mature and prosper for “…men ought always to pray, and not to faint.”—Luke 18:1-3.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.—Psalms 1:2-3
Don’t be mistaken, it is the time we spend in the Word that will give you the foundation necessary for a truly fruitful life. God’s Word is so vast that there is no way to comprehend it all, and it also has the power to bring itself to pass.
Learning how to break down scripture and exercise great use of it may endear you to people but it will not help you when you need deliverance in your life…you need to get understanding of the Word you learn by meditating in it to receive revelation from God.
3. Walking in the truth that you know
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.—John 8:31-32
Christian maturity has its roots grounded in the Truth of God’s Word. The time spent gaining revelation and understanding of the Word cannot be understated and should not be misunderstood.
It takes your faith in the Word to save you, keep you, and make you a strong and relevant Believer in the Lord Jesus. There is nothing that can make the difference in your life as an understanding of the Word and insight into it…not just what it says but what it means!
Consequently, my friend, fall in love with Jesus and His Word. It will be the best thing you’ve ever done…it certainly has for me!
Have Faith1st ©2016 Faith1st Ministries
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