Spiritual Maturity – Part Two
I mentioned earlier that Paul’s letter to the church at Colossae addresses the necessary balance of faith and practice in the life of a believer. Not only is it crucial for us to believe the right things; it is imperative that we behave in a manner consistent with that truth.
Last time, I remarked that verses four and five of chapter one highlight three important spiritual markers on the road to spiritual maturity (where faith and practice find integration). The first mentioned is a strong faith in Jesus (Col. 1:4a).
Today, I would like to point out that the second mark of spiritual maturity Paul mentions is a sincere love for other Christians (Col. 1:4b).
Paul heard from their pastor, Epaphras, about their love in the Spirit (Col. 1:8). Churches should be a haven of love, but unfortunately that can’t be said of every church. Many people turn away from the church after they encounter harsh and even hateful behavior on the part of other church members. One of the harsh realities about church life is the fact that although members are saved by the grace of God, they (all of us) still wrestle against their old nature. That old nature can make us mean, petty, and spiteful.
But God has a better way, in Galatians 5:22-23 we learn about the work the Holy Spirit does within the life of the believer. This work is expressed in nine different character qualities that God produces in His children. The first one mentioned is love. Think of that, the primary fruit the Spirit wants to produce in our lives is love.
In 1 Corinthians 13, we learn that nothing surpasses love in the life of a believer. We may have all kinds of spiritual gifts and do all manner of good works, but without love they equal nothing. Why is love so important? Because God is love!
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:7-8 ESV)
You may get frustrated by thinking you have to generate these kinds of feelings for everyone–even those unlovely people in your life, but the secret is to let Jesus place His love in you and love people through you. He is faithful to accomplish His work in us (Phil. 1:6).
