RPG Adults
GOING UNTO PERFECTION
FRIDAY, AUGUST 9
Hebrews 6:1-8
Ephesians 4:11-14
“That we henceforth be no more children,
tossed to and fro …”
GOING UNTO PERFECTION
The value of the Christian faith is not simply knowledge of the Scriptures, but there is the need to apply the knowledge to one’s life and mature spiritually. This is the message of the text. The writer discouraged stagnation and sliding back to the old ways. It is important to know the basics and seek God’s direction. This makes one enlightened and not go back. As the earth brings rain it yields fruit that is a blessing from God. Spiritual maturity is the way forward.
The necessity of doctrine for maturity is beyond human estimation. The knowledge of the main principles of the teachings of Christ is the basis. However, that simple knowledge is not enough, there is a need to go on to perfection. In the old order as well as in the New Testament church there were teachers of the Scriptures. In their teaching there were things that were of common knowledge because they were stressed as essentials. Maturity requires something more than these basics. In any venture, growth is naturally expected. Progress must be seen. This is not different in matters of faith. We cannot keep on learning the same doctrines without learning more, as in the laying again of the foundation of repentance from dead works of faith towards God. In the mid twentieth century, there was a revival movement in East Africa within the Anglican Church. This movement was characterised by public confession of sins. It came to a point where some with simple understanding thought that was a good thing to commit sin and later on to come and confess. This brought disrepute to the movement. Lack of maturity is always followed by a return to the old ways. This is how Paul expressed christian maturity: “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Eph 4:13). How is your progress to perfection?
THOUGHT: Genuine faith is confirmed by intensity in maturity.
PRAYER: Father, may I always feed on the spiritual diet of Thy Word that I may be perfected in my faith.