Elevation to Maturity Lessons from Timothy

If a census was taken within any Sunday service or church meeting, at least 80% of the congregants will profess the desire to become a mature believer for Christ.But, if you challenged the same group to take their desire to mature into practical daily application, the number of willing participants will significantly decrease. It begs the question that when people talk about maturity, what do they actually mean? Some would say:* "I will, as long as it does not interfere with my...
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If a census was taken within any Sunday service or church meeting, at least 80% of the congregants will profess the desire to become a mature believer for Christ.But, if you challenged the same group to take their desire to mature into practical daily application, the number of willing participants will significantly decrease. It begs the question that when people talk about maturity, what do they actually mean? Some would say:* "I will, as long as it does not interfere with my work..."* "I will, as long as I don't have to be told what to do by someone else..."* "I will, as long as I can simply read and know the Bible in my house or on my own..." The list is endless!Thank God we have a remnant that are willing to go beyond their personal comfort zones to reach the stage where they can be of more use by God. Some scriptures flow into my mind:1. " In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work." 2 Timothy 2:20-21 (NIV)These verses place the responsibility of being useful to God firmly in the lap of the believer. Of course, God is there to help you by his Spirit but one must be committed to playing their part otherwise the usefulness (not the salvation) of the believer is limited and maturity will be a dream.2. "Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil."Hebrews 6:13-14 (NIV)Verse 14 gives a great insight into the way the mature believer lives. Firstly, this person is consistent, they are committed and they are conscientious in their approach to their walk with the Lord. No wonder they have reached the maturing level.3. " So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV)One of the main reasons God gave us the five ministries, was to enable every believer to become a mature believer!Timothy reached this maturity level. By walking through his life, it shows us exactly what he did and how he arrived at this mature stage. I am excited to pen these few pages together as a medium to encourage you and I that maturing in Christ is not just for some, but it is for and can be experienced by all. We just need to transition from desire to full commitment like Timothy did.The Holy Spirit once witnessed to my heart that there is no easy training in his Word. That is so true! From biblical examples, everybody that experienced a changed life through one to one discipleship had to sacrifice before they reached maturity. Think about Moses and Joshua, David and the "Three", Jesus and the 12 disciples, and now Paul and Timothy.My prayer is that this book will encourage you to commit to maturing in Christ and to completely experience all that God has for you as you consistently grow up into perfection in him! Ready? Let us plot the maturing stages of Timothy.Enjoy!Boomy Tokan