Understanding Spiritual Progress

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ let us go on unto perfection…Heb 6:1 (KJV)

The word rendered ‘perfection’ in the above text is called “adult understanding, spiritual maturity & mature teaching” by some other translations. That is to say every saint is required to make spiritual progress. After the new birth experience, you become a baby in Christ no matter your age, but you should not remain a baby forever, you must grow. No one gives a Mercedes Benz key to a 3 year old kindergarten. He will kill himself. He will use that same key to open his grave.

Galatians 4:1(J.B.Phillips)

But you must realize that so long as an heir is a child, though he is destined to be the master of everything. He is in practice, no difference from a servant.

Children cannot handle valuable properties. In the physical, kids are not allowed to use breakable plates – they may destroy the plate and wound themselves with the broken pieces. Similarly spiritual treasures are breakable, they cannot be handled by spiritual kindergarten

Eccl. 10:16

Woe to thee, O Land when thy king is a child…

Babies are automatically disqualified from the throne unless the land is under a curse. Anyone who want to get to his throne and receive the key to heavenly treasures, therefore, must labour to grow.

Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given…

A child is a gift, a son is a reward. In order words sonship in the kingdom is worked for. It is an attainment for every one who want to make spiritual progress.Do you want to grow? Then you must make some specific effort .

HOW DO YOU MEASURE SPIRITUAL PROGRESS?

1. Knowledge of the will of God

Spiritual kindergartens are most times confused when important steps are to be taken. They find it difficult to know the mind of God. It is a sign of progress to be able to discern and walk in the perfect will of God.

Heb 5:13-14

For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness. For he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Spiritual Adults have enough exposure to know what the father wants and what he dislikes. Apostle John in one of his epistles was addressing spiritual fathers and he said “they have known him”.

If any saint still goes about giving prayer points in order that he might know and do the will of God, he is a babe and not worthy of honour. Children are not honoured even if they win an award (like the first baby of the year):rather it is presented to their parents. Give a cash award or cheque to a month old baby,he will put it in his mouth and tear it into pieces.

2. Crisis Management

The story was told by a preacher of a young school boy who is only accustomed to local athletic competition where the officials use whistle. At a particular time he was to be involved in a more advanced competition and the official shot a gun into the air signifying “Go”, the poor boy ran away thinking it was a gun-shot aimed at hurting them!

Babes, inexperienced saints, not used to the sound of the gun will easily collapse in crisis.

How much pressure you can withstand before you crumble and cry is a pointer to your spiritual level.

Prov 24:10

If thou faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small

The days of adversity exists to test your strength. It takes maturity to relax and sing genuine praises when thieves burgle your house and cart away many valuables. Spiritual babes will cry, murmur and even be tempted to stop going to church. In practical sense, your spiritual maturity could be measured by what make you cry, get angry or lose your temper. Kids weep when you step on their toes. It will be pure folly for an housewife to start wailing because somebody kicked her legs.If insignificant things make you cry,you are a baby in Christ even if you gave your life to Jesus 20years ago!

3. Level of Holiness

Matt 5:20

For I say unto you except your righteousness shall EXCEED the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of Heaven.

Holiness is in levels, righteousness is in degrees. The scripture above used the word exceed, meaning righteousness exceed righteousness. True growth will be characterized by increasing level of holy living – which is a function of some factors

i. Ability to Control Ones Tongue:The tongue is a unique world of iniquity, it is the secret agent of Satan in man’s habitation. Anyone who could master the tongue will live a life that satisfies God