Scripture says that a primary purpose of the church is to build mature believers (Eph 4:11-14). Sometimes, I think, churches forget that. But, what does it take to build mature believers? Well, clearly, it's a teaching process.
Is that true?
Jesus told His disciples, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matt 28:18-20) So, yes, "teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" is part of that. Note, however, that Jesus did not say simply "Teaching them all that I have commanded you." The aim is "to observe" -- obedience, practice, performance. Not for salvation, but because of. Further, notice how He said that was done. "Make disciples." Not converts. Not notches on a spiritual gun. This is investing time and effort in lives, not checking off "Another Sinner's Prayer" done and moving on.
In Hebrews the author bemoans the readers' lack of maturity. "About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food." (Heb 5:11-12) The problem? "Dull of hearing." So why do we assume "That can be remedied by teaching"? Not according to this passage. "But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil." (Heb 5:14) According to this, maturity is not a matter of more information; it's a matter of "constant practice." And that's not accomplished in a classroom. It's not predicated on a program. This is built by practicing obedience. It is a function of "walking in the truth" (2 John 1:4). In fact, John defines love this way. "And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it." (2 John 1:6) (Compare with 1 John 5:2-3.) So "constant practice" would be the continuous process of loving God and His children through obedience to God. Practice, practice, practice
On one hand, this is bad news. There is no 3-year course you can take to arrive at maturity. There is no educational program that will get you there. No 12-steps to spiritual maturity. On the other hand, it is good news. We do know how to arrive at spiritual maturity. It's not nebulous or murky. It's clear -- constant practice. Walking in truth. Good works that bring glory to God (Matt 5:16). The more you do, the more maturity you gain. The less you do … well, you can do the math. Oh, and one more piece of good news. While this will be hard work, "It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. (Php 2:13) We have work to do … enabled and empowered by God. So, let's get to it, okay?
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