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Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10

 

Spiritual Maturity - Part 1

Galatians 6:1 “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such as one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”

As we look into this topic and discuss what it means to be mature, we do not need to look at what we believe from our culture or what has been accepted by others as a measurement for a ‘spiritual man or woman’. We should look to the word of God, especially under the new covenant, where the issue is being addressed to the church.

The first item we might look at in Spiritual maturity is Examination.

Most of us do not want to be examined by others. At least I don’t. Do you? Spiritual maturity is revealed by us examining our own lives and by God’s indwelling Spirit and grace, making the change.

1Corinthans, 11:27: “Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord."

1Corinthians 11:28, "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.”

2 Corinthians, 13:5: “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”

Romans 14:10-13: “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.”

Rom 14:13 "Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.”

One of the reasons we cannot judge others is that we judge according to the ‘sight’ of what we are seeing in their lives. Jesus says in John 7:23: “If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?" And in John 7:24, "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”

Col 2:16-17 "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.”

If we are constantly judging others by their failures, their short comings, their differences to us, and many other natural or physical attributes, then we need to recognize that we are not judging according to the Word of God and have become carnal or immature in this area.

 

Part 2

The second way to judge our maturity or spirituality, is by actively doing the Word of God in our own lives, rather than just hearing it. We have heard this probably all of our lives, but few of us have mastered it in all areas. We are told by the Word of God in James, that we are to be “doers of the word not merely hearers.”

Our lives should continually reveal that we are doing the Word or are "doers of the word" more and more as we grow in the knowledge of it. If they do not reveal this to us, then we are only hearers, preachers, or teachers of the word, but have not become doers of it in reality.

The problem with this is that we become so filled with the Word of God, mentally, that we become puffed up. James 3:13-18 “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of ighteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”

Why don’t we do the Word? I believe the Word of God tells us in James 1:22-25, "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass. For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

So when we leave the word of God, wherever we are hearing it, then we forget it! Does this sound familiar to you? It does to me.

What then is the antidote? The answer is in spending some quiet time with the Lord and the Word of God in daily meditation. We all know this, but it is not in the knowing, but as we see, in the doing.

The Word will produce the fruit and the Word will set us free in many areas that we are bound, but we must put the word in our hearts by reading, hearing and meditating. Joshua 1:8 says, "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”

 

Part 3

Today, I would like us to look into some issues concerning spiritual maturity that may help us understand exactly what spiritual maturity looks like. I think it will help all of us to recognize it by knowing what spiritual maturity is not.

It is not perfection, or having arrived to some point of not needing the other members of the body of Christ or even Jesus himself. I like what Paul the Apostle said in one of his letters to the church. In Php 3:12, Paul says, “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Php 3:13-15, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.” Tay’s Version, vs 13, “I am still not all I should be.” and vs 14, “I strain to reach the end of the race.”
Vs. 15 “as many therefore as are full grown, let this be our resolve.” RHM
“Let all of us, then, whose faith is mature, think thus.” TCNT
“I hope all of you who are mature Christians will see eye-to-eye with me on these things.” Tay

Isn’t Paul saying that he is not mature yet! In our words, I have not arrived in a spiritually mature state yet, but I am pushing, making an effort to go forward, not looking at my failures, but concentrating on what God has created me to be and anointed me to do in Christ. Then he goes on to say that as many as are ‘perfect’ or spiritually mature will have the same purpose and mind.

I think we are defeated so easily in the realm of the mind as Christians, is because we look at maturity from a state of perfection in different areas, whereas we should be looking at our progress of be coming doers of what Christ Jesus speaks to us in His Word to do and be. We should see progress in ourselves, but doubtfully see a state of ‘perfection’, in all areas. This is because we still have a flesh nature that wants to do it’s own thing and unless we continually crucify the flesh, it will dominate us. This is where the true battle lies and must be dealt with as we all grow into a mature man or woman in Christ. We must grow spiritually just as we have grown naturally and this takes a life time. There will be many mistakes, many sins and much heartache but we can, will and must grow, it is very natural as spirit beings.

 

Part 4

 

How do you and I spot or ascertain who in the body of Christ is really mature? That really is a good question isn’t it? Some would have you believe that if someone has a large ministry or mega church then they have arrived at a place of spiritual maturity. However many having either one of the above have fallen into a serious infraction of God’s covenant. Many of fallen because of the love of money, power, the opposite sex and many other such things. They may have even had a large TV ministry, but that does not make them ‘spiritually mature’.

Jesus said, “But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” Luke 12:48 KJV

We also see that many who can quote large portions of the Bible; however this also does not dictate the condition of their maturity. How do they and we respond with our lives in normal life situations? Do we stay with the Word or do we retreat to our own natural, fleshly way of doing things? This reveals where we are spiritually. It will also reveal the work needed in some areas and also reveal that we have grown in other areas that we were not even aware of.

1Co 13:1, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 1Co 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.”

1Co 13:11, " When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things." (We will put away many things as we mature in Christ.)

Just because we have all knowledge and other fine qualities, but without the ‘Love of God’ ruling in and over our lives, we are not considered to have arrived at perfection or spiritual maturity or God’s heartbeat which is love, faith and hope. The question still remains, how much progress is the Word of God making in our lives?

If we are honest, it will probably not be pleasing to most of us, but that is not bad because it shows where we are at and where we need and want to go as followers of Jesus.

1Th 2:13 ,“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”

Paul says again in Php 1:27, “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ: that, whether I come and see you or be absent, I may hear of your state, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel.” (Paul desired to see the spiritual state that the church was in; describing it as one spirit, one soul or mind for the faith of the gospel.

Jesus said it this way in John 17:22, “John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”

The Lord Jesus wants us to come to a place of maturity and oneness in him by His Spirit. This shows our maturity, our love, and the indwelling presence of the Lord Himself in our lives.

 

Part 5

 

Today, we want to look at few examples from every day life that will show us where we are concerning our spiritual maturity in what may seem to be common place relationships or matters.

Our first example will be women who are mature in the Lord vs. those who are carnal or 'flesh ruled'. This will not be a popular example but you will more than likely agree when we have finished it.

The Word of God speaks in 1st Peter 3:1-2, “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.”

Please notice that the wives are not be in subjection or submission to other men, but to their own husbands. This does not mean that they are not to be in subjection to those God has put in authority, but in the home God has placed the man in spiritual authority. If the man will not take the position, then godly women can and should use their authority over the devil, the world and their flesh and in ministry to their family.

It does not mean that they pray against their husbands or take the place of their husbands. It does mean, as we continue to read, that they can, without preaching to them, win their husbands to Christ and then allow them to grow in the Lord to a mature family leader. This will, however, take much patience and love as many women have a head start in the things of the Lord.

This means that by the grace of God, you will have to stop nagging them to get saved, as well as nagging them to do other spiritual chores. They will take their place as you give your life as an example for them to follow. The Holy Spirit will use your life and behavior as an example to your own husband to win him to Christ when He sees the benefit of your life as a virtuous woman of faith.

There is much to say on this matter of submission, but I wanted to address this issue because it is a huge one concerning those who are both saved and unsaved. As I have said, there is much more in the Word of God concerning submission to one another, but we will look at that another time.

Here is a scripture that you can meditate on concerning submitting to one another.... Eph 5:20-21, “giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ.”

In the body of Christ, we are all to be submissive to one another. There are many places within the church that women minister and will have authority, therefore as they have been give authority, we must all submit one to another in the fear of the Lord.

Lastly, though there is much controversy in this matter, I will mention the authority and position of ministry that the women have in the home and in the church. There are many commentators concerning this and it has become a huge issue in the church in the US. We must attempt to stay with the whole of God’ word concerning this issue.

1Timothy 2:11-12 “Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silent.” Paul is writing to the church of his time and culture and we must understand this before we can go further. Below is some commentaries that I will show you:

1Timothy 2:12: "...nor to usurp authority" - A woman should attempt nothing, either in public or private, that belongs to man as his peculiar function. This was prohibited by the Roman laws. This was the Roman law at this time. (Clark's Commentary)

1Timothy 2:12: "...to usurp authority over the man" - By public teaching. (Wesley’s Commentary)

1Timothy 2:12: “But I suffer not a woman to teach,” (Commentator writes) They may teach in private, in their own houses and families; they are to be teachers of good things (Titus 2:3). They are to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; nor is the law or doctrine of a mother to be forsaken, any more than the instruction of a father (see Proverbs 1:8).

Timothy, no doubt, received much advantage, from the private teachings and instructions of his mother Eunice, and grandmother Lois; but then women are not to teach in the church; for that is an act of power and authority, and supposes the persons that teach to be of a superior degree, and in a superior office, and to have superior abilities to those who are taught by them: (Gill’s Commentary)

This was further indicated by the early church when it came to selecting elders. Titus 1:5=5, "For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.” (My underscore to draw your attention.)

 

Part 6

 

This truth has been abused more by the body of Christ than many other issues. The reason being is that everyone wants to use authority over someone else, even when they don’t have the God given authority to do so. We need to recognize where our authority begins and where it ends. There is both natural or governmental authority, there is authority in the family, in the educational system, and in many other areas. We need to recognize that no authority has been given except by God.

Romans 13:1-2, “Let every soul be subject to the authorities that are above him . For there is no authority except from God; and those that exist are set up by God. So that he that sets himself in opposition to the authority resists the ordinance of God; and they who thus resist shall bring sentence of guilt on themselves.” (Darby)

Peter, writing to the church, says in 1 Peter 5:5-6, “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.”

How, then, do we subject ourselves to one another and to God? We must recognize where our authority begins and where it ends. We need to recognize even as we have been given authority by God, He has also place others in authority and we need to humble ourselves before that authority because He has placed them there. We don’t have to agree with them, their policies or their programs but we must recognize their authority is from God and pray for them. That is our duty and obligation as men and women of faith in God.

Jesus demonstrates what He is talking about in Matthew 20:25-28: “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

Spiritual authority remains humble as Jesus was teaching his disciples above. They are to be a servant and give their lives to those Christ died for! Do we see this in the church? The answer is absolutely not! Why don’t we see this? The answer is very simple; no one wants to submit to anyone else or to a higher authority. Rarely, if ever, do they want to serve others as is demonstrated by their lives. Jesus said we are not to be like the world, but in fact the church has become so much like the world that by looking you can hardly tell the difference any more.

How many men and women do you know personally that demonstrate their lives with true humility and servitude? Do you see it the lives of those on TV? Do we see it in the lives of those with mega ministries or even our own local church?

Paul said, “For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed" (2 Corinthians 10:8)

What did Paul say the Lord’s authority was for? Wasn’t it for building up the body of Christ? In other words, for their edification or building up and not for destroying them or tearing them down.

Peter said in 1 Peter 5:5-6, by the same Spirit, “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time."

 

Part 7

  Real authority takes its place.

Luke 9:1, “Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases."

When Jesus walked the earth in his life and ministry, he used the authority that God the Father had given unto him. Then he gave the same authority to those upon the earth, who believed upon him or who were to believe upon Him. The power backs up the authority that he gave to them and to us. It was not to be used against those in the body of Christ or against flesh, but rather against all principalities, powers, rulers of this age and demons or devils.

See Eph 6:12, "For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."

We have been fighting against each other and competing against each other so long that we have forgotten who we are to wrestle against! We bicker and argue doctrine until we cannot tell the difference between the real enemy and our brothers and sisters. The devil has enjoyed every minute of it and has himself enjoyed the victory at our expense.

Peter said in 1 Peter 5:6-9, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”

We see again that we are to humble ourselves underneath the hand of God, rest upon him, and then be sober, vigilant and watchful, for the adversary, the devil, is seeking to devour us.

Jesus said, of a house or kingdom divided; "And he called unto them and said, How can Satan cast out Satan? And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” Mark 3:23-25

Paul said speaking of authority in 2 Corinthians 10:8, “For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed." And in Titus 2:15, “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.”

Paul admitted said that we have been given authority, for edification and not for the destruction of the church or one another. Look at Eph 4:13, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 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:”

Wasn’t the authority Paul mentioned in the above verse speaking about ministering to the body in love, building them up, until they reached a mature state? Spiritual authority was used against the devil, and it was also used to build up the people of God. It was never used as a tool to tear them down or to say ‘look at me, I’m important in the body.’

However that is what we see today isn’t it? We see everyone clamoring to gain importance and to get to the top, just like in the secular market place or kingdom of the world. There is no humility in it at all, which is completely different to what the Lord told his disciples.

 

Part 8

 

I am not belittling the authority that the Lord has given to those in body of Christ to use and to exercise. However, we need to recognize where the authority is to used, on whom it is to be used and by what motives are we using our authority. Are we using it to build our own kingdom or establish the Kingdom of God?

Mat 23:11 “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. Vs. 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. KJV.

Paul said the same thing didn’t he? The greatest was and is Christ. What did he demonstrate, and how did he demonstrate it? John 13:13-15, “Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”

Wow! Is this not completely unlike what we are seeing today in the body of Christ in the US? Does anyone serve the Lord just to please him? Not many to be sure. Someone might say that Jesus did not really mean for us to wash one another’s feet. The fact remains that he did use a physical demonstration to show us that we are to serve one another.

Do we see true humility in the body of Christ demonstrated? The answer is emphatically, no! The question remains, why don’t we see true humility demonstrated and true authority used?

I believe there are several reasons which we will share just briefly. The reason we don’t see true humility in the body of Christ in the US is, we have brought the meaning and way of authority from the world into the church of God. We have not seen it demonstrated because it must be demonstrated in or by real faith and not ‘faith’ that is only seen on the TV. Many are afraid of their failures of the past; some have never failed but they have never really demonstrated biblical faith by biblical authority.

As we recognize our authority and where God has placed us in Christ, we should not feel threatened by someone else’s gift or abilities. Rather, we should praise God for their gifts and gifting. This will not be easy for some because of spiritual immaturity or ‘spiritual tares’, which are hindering the word and progress of the gospel in the earth today. We must not fear one another or despise one another, but accept one another and allow the Holy Spirit to continue His work in us, his body.

It also should not give us cause to give up, throw up our hands and say, I have had it with ‘church’. We need to be occupying until the Lord returns and do what we can with what the Lord has given to each of us and be good stewards of it.

 

Part 9

 

As we continue this part of the teaching on authority, we need to look at what spiritual maturity looks like or what it recognizes.

I believe that someone with spiritual maturity recognizes that God Himself is their true source, so they give. When I say that they give, I don’t mean that they give religiously or under some sort of bondage, but rather, they give because they desire to please God and because He is, and has become, their real source of help. When we allow by our own faith in God to be what He desires to be in our lives, then we will rely on him as our financial Lord as well as our healer, our peace, our helper, and friend.

Proverbs 11:24-25 says, “There is one who scatters and yet increases; but one who withholds just due comes only to poverty. The soul who gives freely shall be made fat; and he who waters shall also be watered himself.” MKJV

Paul said, writing to the church of God in 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:”

This same Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:9-11, “For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?”

So the way we sow, the degree that we sow and to whom we sow is plainly given in Scripture if we believe that the bible is the Word of God. We have become so religious that we don’t do anything unless someone almost forces us to. This should never be! We should serve the Lord with gladness and sincerity of heart in all that we do. Whether it is giving, serving or attending a meeting to celebrate His awesome presence.

Another thing that maturity does, is recognize ‘God’s gift’ within himself or herself, to know that God has given him place, purpose and a special destiny within his Son Jesus Christ to fulfill in the earth in this last day. Each of us has a gift or gifting and they are to be used by the Holy Spirit of God and we are to allow Him to use those gifts in and through our lives.

In Prov. 18:16, “A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.” KJV

Our gifts will truly bring us before great men, but our believing it will assist us greatly if we will just trust the Lord and let him work out the details of our lives.

Maturity in one’s life is to rest on the confidence, trust or faith, that one is able to place in the Lord and His covenant Word. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that when we come to God, who is also our Father, that we must come with Faith in our heart to believe him for his magnificent promises. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

Do we really want to please the Lord? That is a good question for some of us today. We have been programmed to have our own way, do our own thing by the media so long that we really no longer care about pleasing the Lord who saved us.

Paul writes in Col 3:16-17, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."

Does this describe you and me? Maybe, or maybe not? Is pleasing the Lord a priority in our lives anymore? We have become so oriented to being entertained that we have forgotten who is important and what is important in our lives.

2 Peter 1:2-4, "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

If we are ever going to develop into real mature men and women of God, then we will have to come to know the Lord according to his word. Then the power, the life and the precious promises will be seen in and through our lives and we will see progress as spiritually mature Christians.

 

Part 10

 

We have gone much further with this teaching than I had expected, but I hope that you have enjoyed it and have had a little more ‘Word’ perspective light about the what spiritual maturity is for your life. The last thing that I will address is that, a mature person will desire to honor the ‘Covenant of God’ in their lives and to be a faithful covenant partner with the Lord Jesus Christ and with the Father.

Please see my teaching in the archives of the Father’s Heart for the complete teaching on the subject. What I hope us to see is that if we desire to please our spiritual Father who is God Almighty and to please the Lord Jesus Christ, then we must endeavor, long for, and seek after with great earnestness the desire to please them with honoring their covenant with each of us.

The success in life that all of us desire is found in the ‘Covenant’ of God’s Holy Word. It is there that we find ‘Truth’ and a ‘Revelation of our covenant partner Jesus Christ and come to know what he desires from us.

One of the most profound statements that I know of came from Paul when he said, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Gal 2:20 KJV

It was his desire to live for Jesus Christ and please Him. We can either live for ourselves and call ourselves Christians, or we can allow him to live through each of us and honor his covenant word.

David and Jonathan were in a covenant relationship. If you look at that relationship which became so on the basis of a covenant, you will begin to understand what the Lord desires of each of His children. We will not be concerned only about our own lives any more, but will consider Jesus who is, and has become, our covenant partner through the blood of His Covenant.

The understanding and participating of a good covenant partner will absolutely change your life, it has changed mine, and I know it will change yours. It does not make us perfect, but it will usher us into a life that is no longer focused on ourselves and we will grow into maturity and please the Lord Jesus and the Father.

May God bless you today as you take the challenge of proving to be honorable covenant partners with God the Father and a deeper step toward becoming a mature man or woman of God.