Attaining spiritual maturity
But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord. That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. 1 Corinthians 2:8-12
The apostle Paul described from the text what happened to Christians that surrendered their lives to the leading of the Holy Spirit. As Paul said, they “can know the wonderful things God has freely given.” Before knowing Christ, decisions are based on the knowledge and evaluation of right and wrong. The consequence of the actions taken will be determined by what seemed to be rational and appealing. But that viewpoint changed because of the decision to have Jesus in one’s life as Lord and Savior. Those who did not trust Christ as Lord and Savior will continue to live their lives lacking in understanding of who God is and will not have the appreciation of the unfailing love that comes alone form God. God created everything and Christ is the center of God’s creation. “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth” (Colossians 1:15-16). There are certain things in this world that are discernible only through the revelation from God’s Spirit. It is only God’s Spirit that “knows God’s thoughts.” Only spiritual persons know what has been given by God. Once you let the Spirit of God rule your life, it will result in knowing the plan and the purpose of God for one’s life for you will “have the mind of Christ” (Colossians 2:16). Paul asserts that God’s wisdom comes through revelation. This revelation comes through the Spirit and only spiritual persons receive this revelation. This revelation leads you to understand what God wants from your life and the example He set for you to follow. Christ demonstrated a selfless obedience to the Father’s will. It follows then that if you live having the life of Christ in you, your desire is to follow Christ’s example. God’s desire is that you grow in your relationship with Him and attain spiritual maturity. Spiritual maturity is described as having the ability to apply biblical principles to one’s circumstance and achieving a result that honors and glorifies God. “Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth” (Ephesians 4:14).
Blessings,
