{Glory Art} Scripture Challenge #14, Maturity

Note: Please click here to see today's Glory Art {Tip}.

The Study

Last study, we talked about religion versus a relationship with Christ. If you missed that study, please click here. For today's study, we will now look at moving forward in our relationship with Christ and becoming a mature Christian. 

Once we are saved, we now begin our journey to becoming more like Jesus. Think of your salvation as the bottom rung of a ladder. That is where we start, and we want to move up the ladder not just hang out on the bottom rung. If we camp out on the basics (or that bottom rung), we are malnourished Christians. I don't know about you, but I definitely don't want to be a malnourished Christian. We need to be growing in our faith.

Philippians 3:12-14 "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Ephesians 4:14-15 "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ."

We need to move from being self-focused to Christ-focused. As we mature and love Him more, we want to do things that please Him. It's not out of obligation, it's out of a deep love for Him. We must grow in our faith; it's not optional. We either move forward in our relationship with Christ (sanctification) or we fall backward in our relationship with Him. Our choices determine whether we move forward or back. It is a life-long process. Are you making better choices today than when you first came to Christ? Can you say that you experience more fruits of the Spirit now than you did when you first came to Christ?

Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

2 Peter 1:5-8 "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

2 Thessalonians 1:3 "We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing."

We are to always do more—love, hope, encourage, etc. It can only be done through Christ as we grow in Him.

So, how do we grow in Christ? First, we have to have the desire to grow. If we don't have the desire, then you may become lax and think that you don't need to do anything else. God has more for you; He wants you to move from the bottom rung of that ladder. Don't you want to experience what He has waiting?

1 Peter 2:2 "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation."

1 Peter 2:21 "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps."

Second, we must read His Word, study, pray, and fellowship with other believers.

Matthew 4:4 "Jesus answered, 'It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

2 Timothy 3:16 "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness."

And lastly, we need to apply God's truths to our daily life.

James 1:4 "Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Hebrews 5:14 "But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil."

1 Timothy 4:7 "Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly."

Doing all of these things takes our daily diligence. Remember, it is a life-long process. It takes constant use as we see in Hebrews 5:14. Think of where you were in your walk with Christ last year. If you have been doing the things listed above, I am sure you are more mature in Christ than you were last year. And if you continue, think of how He might grow you over this next year. And if you have not been doing these things, will you pray for that desire to grow and mature in Him? Are you willing to discover the areas of your life that have not been perfected yet and where He wants you to grow? Are you ready to continue your journey to becoming more like Jesus? I know I am! He is our example. Will you follow Him?

The Art

Last study, I created four Scripture Art Cards. I had so much fun with them and the colors I used that I wanted to recreate it on a larger art journaling page. So, that is what I have done for my creation today. And for our Glory Art {Tips} today, I have listed the step-by-step instructions so that you can see how I created this page. Click here to see that post. I hope you find it helpful.

The scriptures I chose are Ephesians 4:14-15 and 1 Peter 2:21. It really was hard choosing two scriptures. There were so many good ones for "maturity."

Feel free to join us on the Facebook page where some people will be sharing their creations. We also have some discussions that will be going on there too about the study. If you don't use Facebook and want to share your creation here, do so below by using Inlinkz! To see all of the information regarding this challenge and the previous studies and art tips, please see this post here.

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