Core value 6: Maturity

In Colossians 1:28-29 the apostle Paul writes ‘We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labour, struggling with all his energy which so powerfully works within me’

This is such an encouraging verse as we think about our 6th Core Value – ‘Maturity’. God calls all of us to grow in our faith, mature, press on, make progress. As Paul thinks of the Colossians church, his desire to present everyone perfect in Jesus. He longs to see them throw off the sin that entangles them, grow in knowledge and love of Jesus, bear the fruit of the Spirit, deepen in their prayer lives, witnessing, purity and godliness. To the apostle Paul, there is no such thing as ‘the stagnant Christian’ or the ‘drifting’ or ‘satisfied’ Christian.

Paul urges us to keep on ‘proclaiming Him’ (i.e. Jesus) - taking every opportunity to preach Jesus, know Jesus better, allowing Jesus to shape our thinking, our actions, our attitude. And yes, that’s hard work. Yet we have the all-powerful Holy Spirit at work in us to help us as we ourselves seek to mature and as we seek to encourage others. Here a few very practical ways we can encourage each other in our Christian maturity:

1) Meet with another Christian regularly for 1:1 discipleship - to read the Bible, pray and mutual accountability
2) Join a Connect Group - and make it a priority in your week
3) Read a Christian book with a small group of people
4) Sign up for Weekend Extra or a PTC course
5) Run a Simply Christianity course or volunteer for a beach mission
6) Keep a journal - and note the ways God is refining you

My prayer is that we would never be satisfied with our walk with Jesus - and always be ‘pressing on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 3:14).

With love in Christ
Paul Dale (Senior Pastor)