Maturing in Faith

The power of the gospel, as Paul explains in a letter to the Christians in Corinth, comes not from eloquent reasoning or polished argumentation but from Jesus’s death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. God’s nature is so magnificent and complex that we could not even begin to understand Him. That’s why God revealed Himself in Jesus. Human logic and reasoning are not enough to bring someone to Jesus Christ, and even our greatest thoughts are foolishness compared to the thoughts of God. And yet, the Bible is very clear that God calls Christians to mature in our faith by studying His Word, contemplating what He has said and done, and seeking a deeper understanding of His will so that we can know Him better and follow Him closer. And when we want to know what God is like, we look at Jesus. The cross, Christ’s sacrifice, the forgiveness of sins, the need for repentance, and the resurrection are all incredible truths that should shape the very foundation of our lives. These basic doctrines are essential to an understanding of what it means to know God, because the only way to be saved is through Jesus. But these core truths are not the entirety of Christianity. As we grow older and mature in our faith, we should strive to deepen our understanding of God’s Word. Maturity, wisdom, understanding none of these things just magically happen. They require an active and continued dedication to the study of God’s Word and a heart that is willing to seek instruction. The purpose of digging into the Bible is to change the way we live. When we live out what the Bible teaches, we might look foolish to others. But the more we live by faith by obeying the Lord and resting in Him, the more we mature in faith. Remember that God calls us not only to study the Bible and listen to Him individually, but also to engage with other Christians He has placed in our lives, especially those who are older and wiser than we are. God calls Christians to instruct and build one another up in our faith and also to humbly listen to correction. As we mature, we become more effective witnesses of God’s glory. • Christian Davis • Because God loves us, He wants us to know Him deeply (Matthew 22:37). How does the Holy Spirit help us understand things we couldn’t understand on our own? (John 16:12-15) Dear brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your understanding of these things. Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil, but be mature in understanding matters of this kind. 1 Corinthians 14:20 (NLT)