Spiritual maturity

“Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, overflowing with gratitude.” (Colossians 2:6-7)

It is vividly clear from the Scriptures that Christians are people who have received Jesus into their hearts as Lord and Saviour, washed in the blood of the Lamb and surrendered to the Master.

However, it is of crucial importance for believers in the Lord Jesus to know that receiving Jesus as Lord and Saviour does not end there. We are called to ‘walk in Him’.

The way we live our lives must be ‘in a manner worthy of the gospel’.

Emulating Christ, is our way of life. Walking the talk should never be compromised. Knowing the Gospel and behaving the Gospel ought to be inseparable.

Believers are ‘rooted in Christ’ like plants in soil. As plants grow, as a result of their roots in the soil, so Christians grow who are rooted in Christ.

We come to realise more and more the importance of the relationship between the roots and the soil (our abiding relationship with Christ).

God is always at work building us up in Christ. "On Christ the solid Rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand."

We are never meant to remain spiritual babies, for we are being established (strengthened) in the faith. Solid Christian doctrine is what brings about growth and maturity (Christ-likeness) in us.

“Visit many good Christian books but live in the Bible.” (CH Spurgeon)

Overflowing gratitude is the mark of God’s children and should always be in light of all that God has done for us in Christ.

Gino Nel, Bowker Street Baptist