SPIRITUAL GROWTH 3

8 THEREFORE He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.”
11 AND He Himself gave some to be APOSTLES, some PROPHET'S, some EVANGELISTS, and some PASTORS and TEACHERS,
12 FOR the EQUIPPING of the SAINTS for the work of ministry, for the EDIFYING of the BODY OF CHRIST,
13 TILL we all come to the UNITY of the FAITH and of the KNOWLEDGE of the SON OF GOD, TO a PERFECT [mature] MAN, TO the MEASURE of the STATURE of the FULLNESS OF CHRIST;
14 THAT we should NO LONGER be CHILDREN, TOSSED to and fro and CARRIED about with every WIND of DOCTRINE, BY the TRICKERY of MEN, in the CUNNING CRAFTINESS OF DECEITFUL PLOTTING,
15 BUT, SPEAKING the TRUTH in LOVE, may GROW up in all THINGS into HIM who is the HEAD—CHRIST."
Ephesians 4:8,11-15 (NKJV)

• The first two stages of spiritual growth are shared in the two previous articles. We are building on that in this article, treating the third stage.

III. Manhood or Adulthood stage:
24 BY FAITH MOSES, WHEN HE BECAME OF AGE, REFUSED to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 CHOOSING RATHER TO SUFFER AFFLICTION WITH THE PEOPLE OF GOD THAN TO ENJOY THE PASSING PLEASURES OF SIN, 26 ESTEEMING THE REPROACH OF CHRIST GREATER RICHES THAN THE TREASURES IN EGYPT; FOR HE LOOKED TO THE REWARD" (Hebrews 11:24-26 NKJV).

• As it was earlier said, spiritual growth is similar to physical growth, Thus, you have to grow with Time, there is no automatic Growth.
• This is the spiritual level, the spiritually mature level that every professed believer ought to reach.
• A level which every believer, who aspires to lead or those who are already at the leadership, should attain or reach (2 Timothy 2:20,21).

• Characteristics of the Adulthood stage.

1. Considering or regarding the earthly things lightly:
   "HE CONSIDERED THE REPROACH OF THE CHRIST [that is, the rebuke he would suffer for his faithful obedience to God] TO BE GREATER WEALTH THAN ALL THE TREASURES OF EGYPT; FOR HE LOOKED AHEAD TO THE REWARD [promised by God]" (Hebrews 11:26 Amps).

• A believer who wants to grow spiritually would not put earthly things above spiritual things (Colossians 3:1,2).
• God wants to prosper His children. He wants the good and of course the best of the land for them (Isaiah 1:19). However, He does not want us to put those things First. They should not be the main reason why we seek Him (Matthew 6:33).
• Some believers are more interested in making money than to serve God and grow in their relationship with Him (Matthew 13:22; Mark 4:19). It is not wrong to have money, but it is wrong for money to be your master or ruler (Luke 16:13).
• God does want you to prosper, in every area of your life (3 John 2):
  a. Material or financial prosperity is God's Will (Psalm 1:1-3; 2 Corinthians 8:9);
  b. Physical prosperity or healthiness, that is, living in health (Matthew 8:17; 1 Peter 2:24);
  c. Spiritual prosperity, or maturity in Christ, or having a Christlike character (Ephesians 4:13).
• Believers should evaluate things the way they should be evaluated. They should consider or reckon the earthly things lightly. You, as a person, should get your priorities right or put the first things first.
• You consider the security of your spiritual life before you take a Job, or move to another part of the country, or move out of the country to another nation. Money is not Everything in life. You can be making money and have no good Health.
• Be determined in your heart to put the spiritual things first. That is, you consider the influence of whatever you wanted to do on your spiritual life; whether it would be positive or negative—would It help or lead to your spiritual growth or declines?
• Teach your children how to put God first, leading them by examples, through the way you live your life, and the decisions you make before them.
• Give your Tithes and Offerings before you consider spending on other things.

1. Deadness to censures; unfavorable criticism and praise.

• A mature believer should be Dead to negative comments of people, or their praises.
• An immature believer might feel slighted, If they were criticized, or If they imagined in their hearts they were.
• They could become restlessly, unease, and full of self pitying. Whereas or the other hand, if they were noticed and appreciated, they feel lifted up and full of self importance.
• Those who are babies, immature in the Lord, are always self conscious and are ever conscious of what others are thinking about them!
• Whilst the mature believers are God conscious, and ever conscious of what God's Word says about them and to them.
• Babies are tossed to and fro, childishly trying to be made known or popular (Ephesians 4:14).
• A mature believer would not be touchy, fretful, or resentful, on little or no matter. Such a believer takes no account of evil done to him or her, and pay no attention to suffered wrong (1 Corinthians 13:5).

1. Another characteristic of the Adulthood stage is the ability to recognize God at work in every circumstance or situation of life:
   "AND WE KNOW THAT ALL THAT HAPPENS TO US IS WORKING FOR OUR GOOD IF WE LOVE GOD AND ARE FITTING INTO HIS PLANS" (Romans 8:28 the Living Bible).

• Joseph is one of the best Scriptural examples of this characteristic. Joseph did not retaliate at the end. He did not get against his brothers, when he became a ruler and had the opportunity to avenge because he saw God in what his brothers did to him (Genesis 45:4-8; 50:15-21).

• You will not fail in Jesus' name.

• Whatever God has not planted in your body is rebuked and uprooted completely in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
• Today marks the end of whatever ailment working against your health and wellness and will never see them again in Jesus' name.
  Peace!
  TO BE CONTINUED

STEPS TO SALVATION
• Take notice of this:
IF you are yet to take the step of salvation, that is, yet to be born-again, do it now, tomorrow might be too late (2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Hebrews 3:7,8,15).
a. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and confess your Sins (1 John 1:9); And ask Jesus Christ to come into your life (Revelation 3:20).
b. Confess that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that you confess it with your mouth, Thus, you accept Him As your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9,10).
c. Ask that He will write your name in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:8).

• If you took the steps As highlighted above, It means you are saved—born-again. Join a Word based church in your area and Town or city, and be part of whatever they are doing there. Peace!