Randy Bell
8 Dec 2017

Phase 2 Immature Christian: focus on adding knowledge, self-control, and perseverance to become mature

God Transforms the Immature And Creates Christ-like Character In Them

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. [3] For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. Romans 12:1-3

After your conversion to the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s will is to transform your personality or character from a selfishly motivated individual into a loving Christ-like disciple of Jesus Christ.

As the apostle John makes it clear, “And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments.
4  If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. 5  But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. 6  Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. 1 John 2:3-6 (NLT)

And you must understand that all good or righteous character is God’s nature from the Holy Spirit dwelling inside the Christian. So, the Holy Spirit must gradually empower you through grace with an inward strength that permanently changes your character. That is why STEP 2 is important. You must renew your mind with the will of God. you must change your mind about living your way, and learn the commands of Christ.

As Christ settles into His new home inside your spirit He purifies you. You know, does a thorough house cleaning, taking full control of your life to actually become the Lord of all your life. As you read and learn His word and learning to rethink in God’s way, God brings you into real life situations to train you and test your character.

Hebrews 12:14-15 (NLT) explains, “Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. 15  Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.”

You must understand this from the beginning. True Christianity is not fire insurance or a happy pill. The salvation of any person is an act of mercy by God. We are convicted criminals before God because we all have broken His Law. Sin is an act of rebellion or neglect, breaking God’s protective Laws. We have dark criminal minds in God’s view and we were born with such sinful nature that judgment hangs over our heads.

For instance, if I traveled in my car through a red light preoccupied with a cell phone and “accidentally” killed a child, I would be charged and put in jail for a crime. If I did it on purpose the law demands justice also. The law demands justice for all my crimes. No matter what my excuse is, the crime was committed.

We are spiritual criminals from birth and our minds and personalities reflect the dragon, the devil, not Christ. And like a cancerous tumor wrapped around our organs, sin is fused into our thoughts and personalities. Everything changes when we are born again.

Therefore, God’s mighty power is released through His Holy Spirit to change your mind about life, about the way you do things in relation to others, and how you respond to God and others. This transformation is so thorough that it is the same as the metamorphosis that changes a caterpillar into a butterfly.

In fact, the Greek word used in Romans 12:2 is the foundational word for the English word, metamorphosis. It should be plain then, God’s intention is an absolute overhaul starting from the old way of thought to a butterfly type transformation of your character. In our case it must be from the ugly skin of the dragon to a new and pure butterfly-like child of God.

The old dragon-like caterpillar must die and the new life of Christ must be clearly visible and real for all men to see.

The old way of thinking must be choked out and killed. The old way of doing things must be ruined and destroyed. Change, real change is the goal!

Impatience must be smashed. Selfishness must be rooted out and dried up. God’s ways must be learned and followed. Militant obedience must be established. Immoveable trust in God’s promises must be cemented into the soul.

Love, gentleness, creativity, righteousness, goodness, and all Christ-like character must be chiseled into your personality. I am sorry to say, most all men are so bent toward selfishness this change will only come with great pain inflected upon them. And this is why we are warned about the danger of bitterness.

Ancient shepherds in Israel had a unique way of transforming a persistently rebellious sheep from their flocks. When one continued to wander and get itself into trouble, the good shepherd would take and break one of its legs. He would then mend it, and carry the sheep over His shoulders for the entire time the sheep was healing. Everywhere the flock went the shepherd carried this sheep. He fed it and watered it personally.

At the end of the terrible experience the shepherd gave his patient freedom, but never worried again. The sheep would never again leave his masters side. Don’t get bitter when you suffer from people or circumstances around you. You must see God at work changing your character! “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him.” Hebrews 12:5

In fact you need to worry if you do not experience God’s tough hand upon you. “But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.” Hebrews 12:8

I know ungodly American leaders command parents not to spank their children. But God Almighty says to love your children so much you must hurt them a little to warn them and drive them away from lives full of deep hurts and sinful disaster. [Proverbs 22:15; 23:13; 29:15]

This is how verse 8 makes sense. God so loves you He will hurt you to change you. According to God’s reasoning, people are so deeply blinded by the old caterpillar life they must be chastened [disciplinary-correced] and forced into butterfly transformation.

“Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11

Righteousness is Christ-like character actively flowing from inside a true disciple of Jesus Christ from the Holy Spirit. New convictions and immoveable standards of morality form like volcanic islands bubbling from the sea. Time and circumstances harded the new character traits to be a normal and permanent life style.

Since God’s grace (see Philippians 2:13) is to cause you to desire His will and empower you to “prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God“ you must change your mind about the things God is causing in your life.

Stop resisting the circumstances He brings that do not fit into your dreams. Change your dreams! Stop planning your future! Open your mind to His future for you. Offer yourself upon the altar of absolute surrender to His will. Let Him take away things that will hurt you in the end. Let your Father correct you without throwing another temper tantrum. Or He will correct you and be forced to hurt you more!

Spanking always relaxes a rebellious screaming child. In the same way, the more you resist the grace of God, the more He will discipline you for your good. Remember there are only two choices when responding to God’s confusing grace, surrender or bitterness.

Again God’s warnings are clear, “…looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled…” Heb. 12:15

C.S. Lewis wrote the famous series, The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. This allegory depicts Jesus as Aslan the mighty Lion. After he sacrifices His life for the world and is raised from the dead the story continues with many Christian lessons. One expresses how Aslan has to use His claws to deeply cut and hurt His little ones destroying the old dragon skin and peeling off this outer layer to reveal the true new nature given through the Holy Spirit life deep within.

Make no mistake true change is painful, but like all mothers know, the pain of delivery is nothing compared to the joy of their little new born baby.

Since no person is willing to hurt themselves enough to get rid of the old sinful skin of the dragon, painful character development is done by your Almighty God. He does not use a magic wand but painful circumstances, trials, tribulations, and expecially your immediate authorities.

In fact, the word character comes from an ancient word for engraving. Craftsmen used hammers and sharp tools to permanently change the characteristics of a piece of leather or metal with decorative shapes or letters. God’s craftsmen are around you everyday actually hurting you for your good and engraving God’s character design on your personality.

The Lion’s claws of hurtful circumstances are tearing off the old dragon skin.

And, like the cocoon, trials that cover you [dark tribulation and testing], hold you still while you are being transformed.

Paul explains it in Romans 5:3-5 (NLT) “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”

As your old sinful nature is being pulled off daily, as you die daily to your old self and trust His loving way of spiritual growth, change slowly happens.

But here is your challenge. Will you turn in bitterness or surrender completely to His sovereign hand of purification and artistic character development?

Do you still think like a selfish child? “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” 1 Corinthians 13:11

To renew your mind, surrender and trust God, there is no other way to maturity except in His sovereign hand!

,
Randy Bell
9 Dec 2017

Phase 2 Immature Christian: focus on adding knowledge, self-control, and perseverance to become mature, Phase 3 Mature Servant: focus is adding godliness, brotherly kindness and sacrificial love, Phase 4 Godly Leader: focus on deepening sacrificial love, leading and mentoring

4 Steps To Move From Immaturity to Maturity

If you truly love Jesus Christ and want to grow up and be a mature useful member of God’s kingdom you must make four foundational commitments. These are not in word only, but in wholehearted steps of obedience to God Almighty. They are natural steps of obedience that will transform any Christian to a “good and faithful servant” (phase 3 and 4) instead of a “wicked and lazy servant.”

If you look at our circles diagram you see five concentric circles illustrating our four steps to God’s standard of discipleship maturity.

All of us start as lost sinners and are found in the community or crowd, the outer two circles. In the Bible, Jesus gives the following story: “The sower sows the word. 15 And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. 18 Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, 19 and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20 But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.” [Mark 4:14-20].

As Christians share the Good News with people of the community, some are so close minded [blinded] that they are like a paved road, so hard that they will not even listen or think about the truth of Jesus Christ.

Others have an interest and say they want Christ, but if their friends mock them or trouble and conflict comes their way, they figure Jesus was not really worth it. They go to church for a short time, but quit. Many others [of the crowd] are very interested and may make a commitment to attend church on a regular basis, but their hearts are so enslaved and focused on making money, pleasing themselves and having fun that they don’t really obey Christ, just attend church. This is why we are challenging you, this is not true Christianity.

Only those that really listen, accept, and bear fruit are real. So here is your first commitment, give your life to Christ Jesus. Have you admitted that you are a sinful criminal before. Yes, have you been caught by God’s Word and you know that you have committed the crimes God accused you of.

You are a liar, you know you have lied at least once, right? There are so many crimes you have committed! You broke the Law! Read Exodus 20. Read through a number of New Testament books until your hard heart is crushed and so softened by conviction [convinced of your wrong doing] that you know you need God’s merciful forgiveness. Only then will you be forgiven through Jesus’ sacrifice, because He died in you place. Only when you accept His provision of forgiveness can you make your first commitment.

You must become a born again Christian. Immediately, this changes your relationship from being God’s enemy, to being God’s adopted child. You are now a member of God’s family! Sometimes enemies sneak into churches, even understanding they are missing something. But they will not stay because they are not connected to the church through Jesus and the Holy Spirit that lives inside born again believers. They usually go and create their own church or organization.

Jesus tells his new believers, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” You magnify or glorify God when you clearly do what He commands in the New Testament. And believers must make the family connection!

1/ That is why you need to make your first commitment as a believer and leave the crowd and join the congregation. You must join solidly with a local church, the congregation of the Lord. You must become a responsible family member. You must help with the chores. Help with the children. Help with the responsibilities. You must learn to love your new spiritual family. You must join them because they do not know you yet. You must join them to fulfill God’s will.

2/ Your second commitment as a Christian is when you sincerely commit to grow spiritually. In our baseball diamond that means after you get to first base and start to become an active part of the congregation you start to focus on your maturity.

To really grow up we suggest a four-fold commitment to

1/ group Bible study for the purpose of completely understanding your responsibilities,

2/ group fellowship to practically learn to fulfill your responsibilities,

3/ group communion feasts to keep spiritually pure and healthy,

4/ and group prayer meetings to commune with God.

As a new baby family member you grow from copying and listening to your spiritual elders. As a mature member your example helps the younger develop their skills. And this discipleship training prepares you for the next steps in walking with your Lord Jesus.

3/ Your third foundational commitment is to serve and help others through motivated service to others [core lay minister]. See “Equipped To Serve: Spiritual Grace Gifts, One For Every Believer!” for details.

Jesus teaches in Mark 9:35, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” And Peter writes in 1 Peter 4:10, “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

We all have been indwelt by the Holy Spirit when we were born again. We receive His gift as He enters us and through spiritual growth it begins to “light” and glow through us. We need to help each other discover this gift and serve others to glorify God.

See Romans 12 to learn of the seven grace gifts. When we speak of ministers we mean servants who serve God and people as God calls. This is a calling to all Christians to bear fruit, and is the true core of leadership. We are not leaders like the world defines authority, because God calls a leader, a “servant of all.” What is left for the core “servant-leader” church members to do?

4/ Finally as core lay ministers, we must commit to the mission Jesus gives all His followers. “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

We must fulfill the Great Commission! As we go across the planet supporting each other, we obey the Great commands [Matthew 22] and the Great Commission [Matthew 28]. Your city must feel your presence as a local church (Christians united to obey God) with god-like influence and a vocal call to repent and follow Jesus Christ.

You are now responsible for what you have just learned. You must make the transition from thought to action.

Go and climb the peaks of commitment with all your “heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.”  Mark 12:30

Glorify the Lord and change your world!

Randy Bell
25 Dec 2016

Phase 2 Immature Christian: focus on adding knowledge, self-control, and perseverance to become mature, Step 2: adding all diligence [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence)

Step 2: With All Diligence Add Knowledge To Your Virtue

and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence)..: [2 Peter 1:5 AMP]

 

When you read John’s description of the third phase of Kingdom Life you see the three areas of learning and training necessary for the immature believer to grow into a spiritual adult. Meaning that while you are in phase two, the goal and focus must be to graduate in all of the three areas before God considers you mature, which is what a phase three Christian is: a strong, spiritual adult.

John says, ” I write to you, young men, because you are strong and vigorous, and the Word of God is [always] abiding in you (in your hearts), and you have been victorious over the wicked one.” [1 John 2:14 AMP] Three clear areas, means three clear steps must be achieved and obediently practiced before our Lord pronounces us spiritually mature. And Peter helps us understand what these next steps of obedience are, with the same command to use all diligence to first 1] add knowledge, 2] next add self-control, 3] and then add endurance. So we must focus our efforts on each step, one right after the other, until we complete all three.

Here’s what he says, “For this very reason, adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy), and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence)..: [2 Peter 1:5 AMP] With the same focus and drive needed to thoroughly repent and leave your old sinful life behind, now you must add knowledge!

You are no longer an infant, now you are an immature spiritual child. Children learn, learn, and learn. Children go to school, mimic their parents, and copy their friends as they grow up, and growing up is hard to do. God’s goal is to turn you into strong, dedicated, intelligent, and powerful spiritual warriors who can defeat the enemy, withstand temptation, and join the workforce of the King. This is the same goal for kids today, parents want them to grow up, go to college, get a job, and do great things.

If you studied Step 1, which you need to, you will remember that Hebrews 5 listed the milk, or fundamental knowledge needed to understand the will of God. His educational process is well designed for life change, character change, and ministry preparation. God demands that you become a disciplined learner, a disciple of Jesus.

You must understand that this is school! Yes, the thing you might have hated if you are now an adult. Church is not to be a relaxing, fun-filled spiritual shot to make you feel good until next week. Church is a gathering place for committed believers to gather for strength from God’s Word, to build each other up, to reach others for Christ, to pray together to pull down Satan’s power in their community and to examine themselves for spiritual health and purity.

Remember you have a lot to learn, God has a clear plan for you, and you must take action! Do not lose focus.

Start with “the elementary stage in the teachings and doctrine of Christ (the Messiah), advancing steadily toward the completeness and perfection that belong to spiritual maturity. Let us not again be laying the foundation of repentance and abandonment of dead works (dead formalism) and of the faith [by which you turned] to God, With teachings about purifying, the laying on of hands, the resurrection from the dead, and eternal judgment and punishment…” (Heb 6:1-2 AMP)

STEP 1 – Repentance of sin and abandonment of dead works

Remember when you leave sin you must replace it with good works, not to earn salvation, but prove your salvation. Children of obedience live their lives and spend their time doing the things Jesus would be doing if He were still here. The Holy Spirit in each believer has strong desires to accomplish the same good work in our day that Jesus did in His time.

Acts 26:20 [AMP] illustrates this expectation; “But made known openly first of all to those at Damascus, then at Jerusalem and throughout the whole land of Judea, and also among the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works and live lives consistent with and worthy of their repentance.”

“He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.” (Eph 2:10 from THE MESSAGE) Once you are living a holy life [walking in obedience], you are ready for your education. Yes God intends to train you to graduate from school and get to work, just like your parents expected you to finish school and grow up and get a job!

STEP 2 – Develop Knowledge

Use the strength of your virtue (character) to graduate from Christ’s school of obedience and ministry… You must do like you did in worldly education, start in elementary school and establish the foundations. You must use your brain and “Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.” [2 Tim 2:15 AMP] God will let you know when you graduate from His school!

First the Milk: An introduction of the ABC’s of spiritual learning are:

1/ “The faith [by which you turned] to God” [Hebrews 6:1 AMP]

[Explained in Session 1 of the Spiritual Growth Seminar] To really understand the faith, you must read the Bible from the beginning to see the history of sin and mankind, God’s solution for your sin, and the promises of eternal life through Christ Jesus and not by your own sacrifice, as explained in the four gospels of the New Testament. You must understand the full picture, the complete story of redemption! Do not get lazy here, you read more than this in elementary school. You must understand what happens when you are born again.

2/ “…teachings about purifying” [Heb 6:2 AMP]

The original Greek is “baptisms” in the plural, meaning that you must understand water baptism, and Holy Spirit baptism. [See Baptism: The Sign of Joining Christ and His Church; and What is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?] The outpouring or immersing of water is a symbol of inward change similar to a wedding band is a symbol of a new covenant and relation. But the outpouring of the Spirit is a powerful outward presence of God that does what it did in Acts 2, deeply convicting sinners of their evil and causing them to repent and truly be converted. This powerful flow of God’s grace is why we are saved today, 2000 years after the church first began.

3/ “…laying on of hands” [Heb 6:2 AMP]

This is the principle of authority, not some mystical secret, that must be studied and learned. This is illustrated in Acts 13 by the first church to make it clear spiritual authority is foundational knowledge. “As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.” [Acts 13:2,3]

God established the church, not man! He organized it to work as a team to fulfill His purposes under established authority that He gives in His word. We are told in the Word, “Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct… Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” [Hebrews 13:7,17 NKJV]

You must understand that God works through the human authorities that He establishes to mold you into a mature Christian. [See Romans 13 and the book of Ephesians]

It is essential to learn that you must submit to earthly authority to be obedient to God, otherwise you weaken and hurt the church, which is His plan for all Christians. Think of a sport with a coach, if the players refuse to submit to the coach and work together they lose! The Lord demands that local Christians obey Him by grouping together as local churches, and obey His purposes. Read Revelation 2 and 3 and see how He oversees teams [churches], not individuals, and expects every individual believer to submit to the leaders and get busy fulfilling His Kingdom assignments.

4/ “…the resurrection from the dead” [Heb 6:2 (AMP)]

This world is only the very beginning for Christians, the Lord Jesus died two thousand years ago, but He also was resurrected from the grave three days after His death. All the prophecies of the Old Testament were literally fulfilled in Jesus Christ that predicted His birth, death and resurrection. This shows us that our future which is promised in the Word of God, is true and will literally come to pass.

“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.” [1 Thess 4:13-18 (NKJV)]

“‘I believed and therefore I spoke,’ we also believe and therefore speak,14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.” [2 Cor 4:13-15 (NKJV)]

“But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.” [Rev 20:5-6 (NKJV)]

5/ “…and eternal judgment and punishment” [Heb 6:2 (AMP)]

“God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. 18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.” [1 John 4:16-18 (NLT)]

“Behold, the Lord comes with His myriads of holy ones (ten thousands of His saints) 15 To execute judgment upon all and to convict all the impious (unholy ones) of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed [in such an] ungodly [way], and of all the severe (abusive, jarring) things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” [Jude 1:14-15 (AMP)]

“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” [Rev 20:11-15 (NKJV)]

Next the Meat

Next, we must understand the meat of the word and this means digging deep into the teachings of Jesus as found in the four gospels, Matthew through John. Build on the Lord’s commands found in the Sermon on the Mount [Matthew 5-7]. We know this is true from the great commission, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [Matt 28:18-20 (NKJV)]

1/ The Commands of Christ

In Acts, it says the apostle’s doctrine was the primary teaching to all new disciples of Jesus. It reads, “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” [Acts 2:41-42 (NKJV)] The church gathered fearlessly together and learned the apostles’ doctrine which is exactly what Jesus commanded them to do “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you”.

Study carefully the words of Jesus until you understand the commands He established for all believers. Use all the scriptures for background and culture, context, and answers to questions raised in His commands. Make sure you know how to fully comply to your Lord.

2/ The Priority and Application of Christ’s Commands in Your Life and Church Ministry

Next study the scriptures to the end of establishing the purposes of God into your life. Five grand purposes are revealed by our Lord. Here are the first two, “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” [Matt 22:36-40 (NLT)]

Then the next three purposes are revealed, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [Matt 28:18-20 (NKJV)]

Basically stated you must understand where God’s will is for your life so that you can follow the Lord Jesus fully and freely. Understand the full implications of what it is to love the Lord and your neighbor. Read and study John and 1 John to get started.

We will explain more in the later steps of maturity also. [see STEPS 5-7]

It is very important to also understand the part you must play in making disciples, baptizing them, and teaching them. Each believer must play a part in the local church assisting the leaders in these tasks. God’s purpose is for every believer to share the Good News with friends and family, and invite neighbors to God’s salvation. Then accepting and loving the new followers of Christ is what baptism means for you as a member of the family. And getting to a place that you teach and mentor your friends and family is all a part of God’s will for your life. Learn to do them! Learn by watching and helping the leaders until you can take responsibility.

3/ The Hard To Understand Teachings of Paul

“Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation–as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. 17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” [2 Peter 3:14-18 (NKJV)]

Most of the New Testament books are the letters of Paul. They will expand and build upon the basic principles and commands of Jesus. These writings are to further your education after you have a strong foundation. They help you apply Christ’s teaching and embrace the underlying principles of God’s way of life. For example, 1 Timothy introduces the importance of clearing your conscience, along with many other things. The freedom of moral purity releases you from frustration, guilt and the fear of the future. The need to have harmony in your home is explained in Ephesians, again with many other things.

Since a basic human need is an intimate fellowship with others you must study Paul’s letters for clear instruction for close friendships and relationships. Family and friendships are very different and very important, protect yourself with God’s direction and wisdom.

Remember kids go to school for many years and just like that, this stage of spiritual growth is an extended process of years. You have spent years going to school, this is a million times more important because it glorifies your Creator. With all diligence develop your spiritual knowledge!

Randy Bell
26 Dec 2016

Phase 2 Immature Christian: focus on adding knowledge, self-control, and perseverance to become mature, Step 3: adding all diligence to [exercising] knowledge [develop] self-control

Step 3: With All Diligence Add Self-Control

To become strong enough in character to overcome temptation takes a huge amount of time and learning. God will not hit you over the head with a magic wand and say, “Now you have received the gift of strength, go now and sin no more!” His grace is constantly being released to the humble believer giving them stronger and stronger desires to withstand the devil’s temptations and also more and more strength to do God’s will.

Remember, Peter plainly teaches us because of salvation and God’s promises we can supernaturally change. He says, “For this very reason, adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy), and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence),  6  And in [exercising] knowledge [develop] self-control, and in [exercising] self-control [develop] steadfastness (patience, endurance), and in [exercising] steadfastness [develop] godliness (piety), 7  And in [exercising] godliness [develop] brotherly affection, and in [exercising] brotherly affection [develop] Christian love.” 

And a humble disciple must study long and hard and know God’s Word inside and out (step 2). You must have true spiritual knowledge from the leading of the Holy Spirit within you, and the reading and meditating of His truth with your mind. Your training is for moral and mental toughness to be able to stand against everything Satan throws at you to discourage you from fulfilling your mission from God. You must use your knowledge to gain the next step!

Let’s look at the life of Christ to help you comprehend this important factor. When Christ was twelve, he went to Jerusalem with His family and got involved with the scholars of Judaism. His family lost track of him and were frantic until they found Him in the temple with the religious leaders. Luke describes the reaction of the leaders, “After three days they found Him [came upon Him] in the [court of the] temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished and overwhelmed with bewildered wonder at His intelligence and understanding and His replies.” [Luke 2:46-47 AMP]

He had such knowledge that He blew away the smartest and most scholarly religious leaders of the whole nation as a twelve-year-old, but He was not ready for His mission. His knowledge needed to be exercised for the next eighteen years to strengthen him for His amazing task. “And He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was [habitually] obedient to them; and his mother kept and closely and persistently guarded all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom (in broad and full understanding) and in stature and years, and in favor with God and man.” [Luke 2:51,52 AMP]

For eighteen years Jesus waited for his mission and obeyed His earthly parents, learned to interact with His brothers and sisters, trained and became a carpenter, and exercised His knowledge to love His Father and His earthly family. He served His family and gained wisdom and full understanding through this life experience.

Our Lord needed to have self-control, an inward strength that never caves in under pressure or temptation, to satisfy the Father and fulfill His mission of the salvation of mankind. His learning development was more than just saying, ‘He was God in the flesh.’ The flesh part still made Him a human, and therefore He had to learn strength through hard trials and experiences.

In Hebrews we find this description,”Though he was God’s Son, he learned trusting-obedience by what he suffered, just as we do.” [Hebrews 5:8 from THE MESSAGE] I hope through this verse you will understand that God’s will for you is to be a spiritual adult that is strong and obedient just like Christ.

Your training must be understood to be all-encompassing as a professional football coach would train his players. Read carefully this next portion of scripture and change your mind about discipleship and serving Christ.

We read in the Luke 4:1-2 from the Amplified Bible, “THEN JESUS, full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led in [by] the [Holy] Spirit [2] For (during) forty days in the wilderness (desert), where He was tempted ( tried, tested exceedingly) by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they were completed, He was hungry.” [Deut. 9:9; 1 Kings 19:8.]

The coach, the Holy Spirit, pushed Jesus into isolation, with no food, and he was allowed to be ruthlessly attacked by the devil until he was near starvation. This trial was overwhelming without the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit releasing His strength within the Lord as stated in Luke 4. And remember it says He was tempted and tested exceedingly! Without the inward strength of self-control, no man would have survived such an onslaught but would have given in and sinned against God.

Does this say anything to you about your attitude of sin and the cheap “I can ask for forgiveness later” mentality? God’s will for you through self-control is to stand against temptation without failing and sinning again and again. Football players get tougher and stronger through tough practices and games by playing against strong opponents who fight with all their might to defeat them. Therefore if you fail, God does not quit with a true believer, but increases the training as He directly compares you to Jesus…

“Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. [Ps 110:1.]”

“[3] Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds. [4] You have not yet struggled and fought agonizingly against sin, nor have you yet resisted and withstood to the point of pouring out your [own] blood.

“[5] And have you [completely] forgotten the divine word of appeal and encouragement in which you are reasoned with and addressed as sons? My son, do not think lightly or scorn to submit to the correction and discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage and give up and faint when you are reproved or corrected by Him; [6] For the Lord corrects and disciplines everyone whom He loves, and He punishes, even scourges, every son whom He accepts and welcomes to His heart and cherishes.”

“[7] You must submit to and endure [correction] for discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons. For what son is there whom his father does not [thus] train and correct and discipline?” [Heb 12:2-7 AMP]

You might not want this kind of training, but believe me, it does not matter what you like. The Father unleashes the Holy Spirit, your coach also, to drag you into obedience through trials and tribulation, so submit to His mighty hand because His will is for you to get tough and stand strong against the devil, just like Jesus did!

The apostle Paul agrees and states, “In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. [11] Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.” 

“[12] For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. [13] Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].” [Eph 6:10-13 AMP]

The Lord’s final exam, ending the Lord’s training, was the terrible temptations for 40 days in the wilderness. He finished those 40 days to be given three more choices that demanded every bit of self-control He had.

As he was starving and He had no sign of the wilderness experience being over, Jesus was tempted to use the supernatural power He possessed to turn stones into food without specific permission from the Father. He needed the knowledge He had at twelve and quoted the scripture, but he also needed the strength and power of character He learned through the things that He suffered to say no and wait for the Father’s time.

The other two temptations were just as important, and He passed His final exam. He entered the battle controlled by the Spirit but… “Then Jesus went back full of and under the power of the [Holy] Spirit into Galilee, and the fame of Him spread through the whole region round about.” [Luke 4:14 AMP]

Now He had power from the Holy Spirit covering Him like a blanket, He was now strong in the Spirit as all Christians are offered! If He had used His own power He would not be our example, because we do not have such power. He then entered into His Father’s business and fulfilled His mission.

But He overcame the devil in the exact way all believers can, through the combined “armor of God”:

1/ knowledge [the belt of truth];

2/ virtue/character [the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God (AMP)];

3/ faith [shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one]. (AMP)];

4/ preparation [His 18 years of waiting are what we see in Eph 6:15 “And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.” [Isa 52:7.] (AMP)];

5/ grace [helmet of salvation which is the mighty power of grace pouring out of His spirit]

6/ and God’s Word [the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God. (AMP)]

In school, you spend a lot of time learning before you are given your final exams and graduate. This is why Paul taught it so clearly in the book of Ephesians. What do you think God wants you to strongly stand up against?

He wants you to “resist and stand your ground.” He wants you to stand and not fall from “the strategies and the deceits of the devil.” The plain sense is this, just like the devil tried everything in His power to trick and con Jesus into sinning, He wants to convince you that “you are not perfect,” and “everyone has a weakness, so sin some, Jesus is merciful and forgives you constantly.” You must know His lies and resist temptation with the power of self-control, a fruit of the Spirit! Until you do, you will not be mature [Hebrews 12:2].

Remember you will only be considered mature “because you are strong and vigorous, and the Word of God is [always] abiding in you (in your hearts), and you have been victorious over the wicked one.” [1 John 2:14b AMP]

You must focus on your preparation and training, to gain the strong and vigorous ability of self-control, which is an inward strength that gives you the power to say no to sin and the devil. And remember, only by being surrounded by and pressed by unkind people, angry family members, temptations and struggles over an extended period of training and preparation will you find the ever increasing strength of self-control.

It takes everything you have learned from the Bible, and the strong righteous desires from grace, along with diligence, to successfully withstand temptation and sin and be considered by God, a mature Christian of self-control. Give God time to change you by the power of His Holy Spirit.

And of course, you will never be able to say you are perfect. First, Jesus only saves sinners. Newsflash, you are already are on the imperfect list. But, that does not take away the power of self-control given to every Christian from the Holy Spirit. After all, it is a GIFT! Instead, remember John’s words from 1 John 2 because everyone quotes from chapter 1 but most forget to keep reading into chapter 2.

1 John 2:1-6 (NLT) 
My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. 2  He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world. 3  And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. 4  If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. 5  But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. 6  Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.

Olympic athletes never focus on their inability to be perfect but aim at perfection anyway. Many Christians focus on imperfection and accept frustration, apathy, and defeat. Please, please, please reread the words of John again and then focus your attention from this day forward on victory and the freedom of the mighty gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Let God hold you up He promises us victory! “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT) 

Throw yourself into the arms of God. He promises what He says in His Word is true and He will fulfill it in your life and mine.