Christian Living

FOUR STAGES TO MATURITY

by paul hoffmaster
12/07/20
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Reading, studying, comprehending, and applying the Word is a procedure that leads to spiritual maturity.  Reading transfers the word into basic understanding.   Studying enhances and elaborates on the content of the Word.  Comprehending grasps the validity of the Scriptural intent.  Applying the Word displays one’s commitment to the Word.  Some Christians never make it out of the first stage.  They are satisfied in just reading the Word with no thought of its power or authority.   Others take the next step by studying the Word with helps from commentaries, periodicals, videos, other people, and Christian publications.   The next step in achieving spiritual maturity is an area that so many Christians fail to reach.  Comprehending is usually fed by traditions and tribal mentality.  In other words, what is popular in the Christian’s circles that he is part of influences his understanding.  Sadly, much of the comprehending is not based on the intent of God’s Word, but on the adopting of what the Christian feels comfortable with.  Applying the Word is even more ignored.  Who is to decide how and when to apply the Word?   If the first three stages are not correctly engaged, how would one be motivated to apply the Word through actions?  Reading the Word does not guarantee spiritual understanding

One day, a group of Sadducees challenged Jesus’ understanding of the Pentateuch.  These religious interpreters of the Holy Scrolls raised a hypothetical situation pertaining to the Law of Moses.  The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection, angels, spirits, and the tradition of the Elders.  They spent hours in reading and studying the Scriptures, yet their comprehension was overshadowed by human analysis.  They reminded Jesus that Moses said if a husband died, his brother would take over the responsibility of producing an offspring in order to keep the family name alive.  The Sadducees stretched the Scriptures to the point of breaking.  If each brother assumed the husband’s duties and then died, which brother would be the husband to the woman after the resurrection?  They had read and studied Deuteronomy twenty-five but had been unable to comprehend the rightful meaning of the Scripture.  Jesus saw right through them and told them they were in error, for they neither knew the Scripture or the power of God. (Mark 12:18-27) 

So many Christians seem to have adopted the “road most traveled” by the Sadducees.  They read and study without actually comprehending what the Word of God is actually saying.  Over the years, I have seen so much redirecting of the Scriptures that I cringe.  Misdirection, misinterpretation, and misunderstanding have caused the birthing of “new doctrines.”  Lacking enhanced reading and study time has continued to hinder comprehension and application of the Word.

Jesus rebuked them for not knowing the power of God.  They had limited God’s actions by giving themselves unlimited power and authority.  Jesus laid out the Truth to the arrogant religionist bringing a deafening silence to the room.

Believers must read the Word faithfully.  We must study relentlessly.  We must adjust our hearts and minds to comprehend what the Word is saying.  Finally, we must put to use what we have learned.  The teacher during these educating years is the Holy Spirit.  As we read, the Holy Spirit will bring us to awareness of the power of the Word.  As we study, the Holy Spirit will illuminate the words.  As we comprehend, He will bear witness of its truth.   Finally, He will guide us in the application of the Word.