" Answers without the discernment from the Holy Spirit is no good "

please continue...

Our Bible Study of many years helps us spiritually mature in Christ, but it’s sad that not all are maturing at the same level. In a body of believers not all mature spiritually. I’ve been churches were there are more immature Christians sitting in the pews than there are babies in the nursery.

Spiritual maturity is a choice and it’s a journey. Mature Christians should grow after they’re born again. And hopefully commit to the journey that is Christian maturity. If there’s  path to maturity it’s TRIALS, in James 1:2-4 my brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything.

God allows difficult times to happen in order to try our faith. God is still using trials to test believers. The lesson we learn from these trials is patience - perseverance. At the end of the trials, we either passed or failed - approved or unacceptable. The passing or the failure in the trials of the life of a believer is only known by God for His purpose, but is revealed to the believer thru discernment by the Holy Spirit. The outcome of a failed trial in a Christian is quite clear to other believers, as it is manifested in the life of the Christian going thru some trials. (marriage separation, divorce, pride, compromises, fault finding, hypocrisy…sins)

Eloquence and intellectual prowess in knowing the Bible doesn’t indicate a Christian maturity in Christ. Christians can give excellent teaching on the pulpit or bible study, but by no means is a complete indicator of a mature Christian. Serving in a Congregational ministry and doing it well for many years doesn’t constitute a total mature Christian, but certainly is a sign. I heard a story about a person serving as deacon in a Christian Church for many years, but have not accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. I also heard a story of a Pastor excellence in teaching the word of God, but he is not a believer in Christ, and this quasi pastor’s motivation for sure - is not Jesus.

I remember my dear Pastor Paul of the Church that I used to go many years ago. When there are sin issues in the congregation and members are arguing to a point of segregation. He always tells all and me, hijo (son) forgive and love them - and my ignorant response then is “should I, they are wrong, and their the ones who’s sinning why should I forgive?”

 I just couldn’t understand it then, until I learned through trials about forgiveness, forgiving those who trespass against me. I choose and learn to forgive but forgiving is very hard, it’s a continual process. And the process can only be completed through constant prayers, asking God for enablement to do so and for wisdom as well. But the blessing and joy that forgiveness brings is inversely greater than the long hard process. And it’s amazing, during the process I felt ever before the meaning of love as Christ gives. Trying to forgive the first time it’s quite hard, but the next time is much easier, to say the least it much meaningful.

But what is our greatest indicator of a mature Christian? Let’s look…and it’s found in

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (The Way of Love)

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but I do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I give over my body in order to boast, but do not have love, I receive no benefit.

The point of the Apostle Paul is very clear - whatever we do, what we say, it is all useless without love, and without love we are no better than the pagans who do not even know the Lord.

Without love …I say nothing, I am nothing, and I gain nothing.

A loving person in Christ gentle spirit is the ultimate indicator of a mature Christian. I have not seen a Christian that I admire most with out this fruit from the Holy Spirit -  it's LOVE for others.