SEASONING

Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart – 2 Corinthians 4:1

Spiritual Growth can also be likened to the process of SEASONING. When wood is seasoned, it is made suitable for use as timber by adjusting its moisture content. Seasoning takes time and heat. Unfortunately, many Christians are fed deceptive teachings that promise power, breakthrough and success without the process of growth into spiritual maturity. They look for ecstatic experiences, dramatic events, climactic moments or instant solutions to their spiritual challenges; but real, enduring victory doesn’t often come through such means. God wants us to be steadily SEASONED into MATURITY.

Growth is an essential sign of life – in all realms. Where there is no growth, no true life exists. Where there is no spiritual growth, there is good reason to question whether spiritual life exists. For spiritual underdevelopment to have become the rule, rather than an exception may therefore be a sign that something is terribly wrong. There is a severe threat to faith. The lack of emphasis of the contemporary church on spiritual maturity has reaped a bitter harvest. Multitudes of professing Christians suffer from arrested development. Many Churches are filled with spiritually immature, fragile, weak, undiscerning, and fair-weather members. God desires us to be SEASONED not seasonal saints!

God intends every Christian to be seasoned into spiritual maturity: “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18). That’s our obligation and privilege. Each day we can progress in our spiritual life toward a fuller, higher, personal, experiential knowledge of God and Christ. We can transcend quoting the letter of the Word to knowing more intimately God – the Author. Many Christians are not growing as they ought and could because of the mistaken ideas they entertain about what spiritual maturity involves. They stagnate on a level far below where they should be, because they misunderstand what spiritual maturity is and how one grows in grace. Here are a few reminders to help keep us on track.

Spiritual maturity is not time-bound; it is not measured by the calendar. Methuselah’s millennial age did not equate maturity!

Spiritual maturity is not proved by accumulation or display of knowledge. Possessing facts, information or intelligence cannot be equated with spiritual maturity, unless such result in conforming to Christ. Truth that fails to change your life and behavior may in fact be hurtful, hardening you instead of bringing you to maturity.

Spiritual maturity is not about being busy with activities. The most mature Christians are not always the busiest ones. Busyness doesn’t necessarily bring maturity. Excessive activity may, in fact, hinder the really vital virtues in the Christian life. Some people will plead acceptance with Christ based on their supposedly wonderful works, but He will cast them out (Mt. 7:21-23). Busyness can’t earn salvation, let alone produce spiritual maturity.

Spiritual maturity has nothing to do with prosperity. Riches are not the evidence of righteousness; neither do they negate it. That God allowed a person to prosper is not a mark of spiritual growth. Those who dedicate themselves to the pursuit of prosperity end up with the very opposite of spiritual maturity (Pro.1:32).

Spiritual maturity is the process by which the perfection in Christ which we already have positionally becomes increasingly a reality in practice. We are complete in Christ (Col. 2:10). We have all we need pertaining to life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3). Positionally, we are new creations (2 Cor. 5:17). Practically, however, we may fall short. Spiritual maturity is simply matching up our practice with our position. God seasons us in order to reflect that position in our progressive experience.

By whatever label it is called, spiritual growth is critical: being transformed (Rom. 12:2); “perfecting holiness” (2 Cori. 7:1); pressing toward the goal (Philippians 3:14); being built up in the faith (Col. 2:7); pursuing righteousness (1Tim. 6:11). The goal is the same for every Christian: to be transformed into the Lord’s image (2 Cor. 3:18). Spiritual maturity comes through steady seasoning in the Word of God and by His Spirit.