Spiritual Maturity

“Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.” (Phil 3:15-16)

When I first read these verses this morning the word “perfect” jumped out at me. How many of us think ourselves perfect? I know there are areas in my life that are better today than they were before, but certainly I would think none of us have achieved perfection.  So I looked at other translations (The above is from NASB) and of course at the original Greek to see what Paul was intending.

The Greek work he uses is “téleios” which has several meanings. Strong’s lists the following: complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); neuter (as noun),  completeness: – of full age, man, perfect.  Many other translations use the word “mature” instead of perfect.  My view of what Paul is saying is that anyone who has come to be mature in their faith, knowing the discipline and struggle it takes to get there and to try to stay there will not relax, will not change how we live but continue to struggle on, “pressing toward the goal.”

When you read this verse and the chapters surrounding it the following two thoughts came to me:

Have a Godly discontent with ourselves:

By that I mean not to settle for where we are at. Be satisfied where we are at spiritually but long for more. Strive for more. Seek deeper things. There will be things in our thought life that we will always be able to work on. When I have one dealt with, there is always another level to work on.

Have a Godly contentment with others:

What I mean by this is not to let others feel you are judging them – everyone has their own struggles and challenges many of which we will never completely understand. My job is never to make others feel they are less than what they need to be right now. Of course we want to encourage everyone to keep striving and pushing on, but most people around us are craving for someone to tell them they are OK as they are. It’s like water to a plant for someone to hear encouraging words.  They need to know 2 things: They are OK as they are, but God doesn’t want them to be content where they are.