Am I Spiritually Mature?
Last month we talked about the importance of understanding our relationship with Jesus not as a “one-and-done” event. It’s not a singular moment that we check off our spiritual checklist for the day. Instead, we understand that our relationship with Jesus must define who we are. Our relationship with the Creator isn’t something that we just tack on to the tail end of our personalities, but rather represents the fullness of Christ and becomes the singular defining characteristic of who we are.
What does this look like? We shifted the question last month from “How do we know if we are truly saved” to “How am I furthering God’s Kingdom?” What does Kingdom living look like? How do we know if we are furthering God’s Kingdom? Let’s take a look at just a few key indicators.
The first indicator is marked by obedience. 1 John 2:5-6 says that “Whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” A key word that sticks out is the word “abide.” To abide means to “accept or act in accordance with.” Generally speaking, it often refers to a rule or a decision or a recommendation. To abide means to accept and obey a standard that we’ve been given or placed under. Christ's followers willingly accept the standards that Jesus gives us. We willingly accept His leadership, His way of living, and His rules. Therefore, we’ve been called to submit to them, live by them, and encourage others to do the same. If you are obeying His commands – found in His Word – then you are walking the path of a disciple.
What does abiding with Jesus look like? Can you see it in other people? Can you see it in yourself? John 15:8 says that “by this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” If you are living for the Kingdom of God, you will bear fruit. Disciples of Jesus bear fruit of His Holiness and His Kingdom. The obvious next question is “What is this fruit?” I’ll give you a crazy guess. Better yet I’ll give you nine guesses! Galatians 5:22-23 displays gives the fruit of the Spirit clearly: Love joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Obviously any single fruit does not make you a disciple of Christ. This is why John 15:8 says that we must “bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” Producing all sorts of these fruit will only solidify the fact that we are living for the Kingdom of God! So, bear much fruit!
What else? How about Matthew 7:21-22 which says that “Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord,’ Will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my father in heaven.” This is a great indicator: “The one who does the will of my father in heaven.” What does that look like? God’s will aligns with what Jesus did, with what His followers did, and what we all strive to do today. Declare the good news of the Kingdom of God, feed the poor and the needy, learn His Word, obey His commandments, bear much fruit and know the Son of God, to name a few. Not everyone who calls themselves followers of Jesus is part of His Kingdom. Those who actively strive to live the kind of life that Jesus lived and those who help others walk towards maturity in Christ are a part of God’s Kingdom.
Sure, we’re all at different stages in our walk. Some have been on the path for years, others are still taking their earliest steps. Wherever you are, take your next step. Then the next, then live like Jesus, then model it for others. Then keep going. Keep making disciples who make disciples.
Live your life for people to Notice Jesus in you, help others to Name Him as Lord and Savior, and show people how to Know Jesus intimately. These are just tools and it is just the method that Cornerstone is using. It’s a great method, but it must start with us. We have to live like Jesus lived and show others how to be a part of God’s Kingdom.