Spiritual Growth By Pete Briscoeنموونە

Taken forward into Jesus

Sinners often speak the truth. And saints have led people astray. Examine what is said, not the one who says it. – Anthony de Mello, Awakening: Conversations with the Masters

If you’ve talked with a college senior recently, chances are you’ve asked the following question: “What field are you going into?”

And the answer is usually something like, “I’m going into medicine,” or “I’m going into communications… law… education.”

As believers, we could ask ourselves the same question and respond by saying something like, “I’m going into Christ.” It’s a statement of expectation as we dedicate our lives to Him. But how exactly do we “graduate” into maturity? Is it like a degree, where we work and work to gain understanding? Or is there something more available to those of us in Christ?

“Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity…” (Hebrews 6:1)

The phrase be taken forward to maturity isn’t in the active voice, but the passive. Moving forward to maturity is the work of the Holy Spirit. He carries us to maturity in Christ. Isn’t that incredible? This verse isn’t like someone’s wagging a finger at us, saying, “Grow up, now!” Rather, these verses are a collective invitation for us. We can all grow together. How? The Spirit of Christ carries us forward.

So if you want to grow in Christ, go into Christ.

• Keep your eyes on Him and learn all you can. Fill your studies with Christ. If you want to go into the Old Testament, great! There’s much richness and explanation of New Testament culture to be found there. But don’t settle in the Law. The Old Testament is merely a precursor of the redemptive work of Jesus. Move forward into Christ.
• Listen to sermons that are solid food, not skim milk. How can you tell the difference? Simple: Is the sermon taking you into Christ or not? We can hear a message and think one of two thoughts afterward: Wow! What an amazing preacher! Or Wow! What an amazing Savior!

If you want to grow, go into Christ.

Jesus, there is no place like You. You are my home, my nourishment, my strength. Carry me. Grow me. Teach me. Lead me into rich community with others with whom You are maturing as well. What a Savior You are! Amen.

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