Spiritual maturity
As for those who stumble along in a weak Christian discipleship but who maintain their trust in Christ for salvation, we seem to find in Scripture an indication that God will continue to work with each of His elect until holiness of character has been attained.
There is a passage in the Song of Solomon suggesting there are some who will have opportunity to become more like the Saviour through continued association with Him:
We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts: what shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for? If she be a wall, we will build upon her a palace of silver: and if she be a door, we will enclose her with boards of cedar. I am a wall, and my breasts like towers: then was I in his eyes as one that found favour. (Song of Solomon 8:8-10)
Notice that the Wife of the Lamb is a "wall" of defence against the enemy, and she is mature.
The Wife of the Lamb has a close relative, a "little sister," who is not mature "in the day when she shall be spoken for."
The fact that the immature one is a "little sister" of the Bride indicates that she is a Christian, although young and inexperienced in righteousness. God does not destroy her because she is immature.
If the little sister is a "wall," that is, if there is at least some defense against evil in her personality, a "palace" (fortress) of silver (symbolizing redemption) will be constructed on this wall.
If, however, there is a "door" in the life through which sin can enter, God’s workers will enclose the believer in "boards of cedar." Boards of cedar were prominent in the interior of the Temple of Solomon, suggesting that even the weakest of God’s elect eventually will be established as part of the holy city.
If an individual rejects Christ, he or she is lost without hope of redemption along with unclean spirits. There is no second chance throughout eternity. God’s word in this respect is as certain and everlasting as His statement concerning the issuing of salvation to everyone who receives Christ.
Some of the Lord’s people have accepted Christ but have not become heroes of faith. They are not stalwart in the Lord, overcoming the Philistines in every battle. They trust in the Lord, and Christ loves them. It is our understanding that such will be saved—some indeed by fire because of the worthlessness of their works (I Corinthians 3:15).
As we stated previously, the careless, lukewarm "believer" is facing much pain and loss, and possibly loss of salvation. We cannot emphasize too strongly that there are very harsh words in the New Testament concerning those who draw back from the Lord, not pressing forward to salvation.
But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition [destruction]; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. (Hebrews 10:39)
God is glorified in the fact that of all whom He brings to Christ, not one of them is lost. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition [destruction]; that the scripture might be fulfilled. (John 17:12) But we must balance that assurance with such verses as the following:
Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. (John 15:2)
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. (I Corinthians 9:27)
But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end; (Hebrews 3:13,14)
It is possible for a Christian to backslide away from God. It is our understanding that any one of us can fall away if we do not give very careful attention to the things of the Spirit. We must press forward to maturity in Christ. As we look about us in the churches we can see that there are some who are seeking Christ with their whole heart, who are pressing on each day with a sturdy determination to resist sin and to follow the Lord Jesus.
The remainder of the people—and God loves each one—have received Christ as Saviour but are having difficulty accepting His lordship over their lives. Weak Christians are typified by Lot. They are "relatives of Abraham" who choose to "sit in the gate of Sodom" (Genesis 19:1).
Lot was saved, but by fire. His wife, representing his fruitfulness and ruler ship, was lost in the destruction that God poured on sin. Abraham interceded for Sodom, no doubt with Lot in mind.
Abraham represents the saint of God. Lot represents the "little sister" of the Song of Solomon who is related to the Wife of the Lamb, who is vexed with the lawlessness of the world, being a righteous person, but who chooses to live each day "in the gate of Sodom."
Do you have any relatives like that? Are you yourself like that?
Are you hoping to use someone else’s "oil" in the Day of Christ?
Lot decided to pitch his tent toward the exceedingly sinful city of Sodom. After Lot had departed for Sodom, God showed Abraham the land of promise (Genesis 13:14).
God saved Lot (Luke 17:29: II Peter 2:7-9), although the city of Sodom was destroyed.
The relationship between Abraham and Lot, the dealing of the Lord with each of them and the choices they made, illustrate some of the aspects of the relationship between the victorious saints and the remainder of the Church of Christ. The victorious saints are Christian people who portray in their lives an Abraham-like covenant with the Lord. They have come out of the world in obedience to the Lord’s call and now are wandering as pilgrims and strangers in the earth—a place they will possess in the future as their inheritance.
The conquering saints obey the Lord, even to the point of offering up to Him their most treasured possessions. Multitudes of believers in Christ do not reveal in themselves this single-minded serving of the Lord. They are more like Lot in that they are "related" to the saints but are living much closer to the world (Sodom).
In spite of their involvement in the world, such churchgoers are righteous people and do not agree with the abominations that are practiced by the wicked around them. They deplore the stealing, lusting, lying, murdering, and other works of darkness that the saint cannot so much as mention without defilement.
Abraham and Lot are of the family of God. The group of Christians who resemble Abraham will possess the fruitfulness and ruler ship promised to Abraham. The group of Christians who resemble Lot will be saved by fire (if they are saved at all), as was Lot. "Remember Lot’s wife."
Lot was saved by the purifying fires of God’s judgment but he lost his wife, his source of fruitfulness.
The Lord’s saints will be kept far from the fires of judgment just as Abraham was living far from the destruction that was poured on Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot barely escaped with his life. Yet, he did escape. His wife was not as fortunate. His daughters seemed eager to practice the incest they had learned in Sodom.
Perhaps it is true that the Christians who are not mature spiritually are "little sisters," "Lots" as it were, who are related to the Wife of the Lamb but who need to grow in Christ (Isaiah 40:11; Malachi 4:2; Romans 11:26).
The "little sisters" must continually be rescued from captivity by "Abraham." They do not have an abundant entrance into the Kingdom of God. They will not be kings and priests to God, participants in the first resurrection. Hopefully their spirits will be "saved in the day of the Lord Jesus" (I Corinthians 3:15, 5:5).
It is the Lord’s intention that the stronger Christians clear the path, making it possible for the weaker members to enter their inheritance in Christ. The concept of the double portion is that of the oldest son being given a greater inheritance so he can take care of his brothers and sisters.
There are also the scriptural examples of one Israelite or a small group of Israelites saving the remainder of Israel and enabling the nation to enter its inheritance. We think of Gideon’s army, David going forth alone against Goliath, the judges of Israel such as Samson, and Joseph who saved his family, the citizens of Egypt, and the rest of the world from starvation.
The Christian Church itself is a remnant of people who have been called out of the world in order to become the "light" of God for the remainder of mankind (James 1:18). Christ is the greatest expression of this principle of God’s working. It is the principle of the "firstfruits" (Revelation 14:1-5). Christ is the Overcomer who has made it possible for us, the younger, weaker brothers, to enter our inheritance.
Each of us Christians can help someone else who does not know the Lord as well as we do. The Lord is pleased when we assist the weak.
The fact that the holy city does not appear until after the thousand-year Kingdom Age, and when it does appear is perfect in every detail, suggests that by the end of the thousand-year Kingdom Age every member of the Christian Church will have found his place in the Lord. The whole Church will be glorious in holiness, as portrayed by the new Jerusalem
And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. (Hebrews 8:11)
Jesus informed us that many who are first shall be last and many who are last shall be first. We understand this to mean some of God’s heroes of faith will be brought forth just before the appearing of the Lord. They will attain positions in Christ that were not attained by many who went before them. They will be filled with the Spirit and will proclaim in authority and power the coming of the Kingdom of God. They will be transformed into immortality while yet alive and on their feet (Matthew 19:30; 20:16; I Corinthians 15:51).
"We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves" (Romans 15:1). It is the will of the Lord that each Christian, as the Spirit directs, do everything in his power to enable every other believer to enter his or her inheritance in the Lord.
When we help the weak we are working side by side with Christ who is able to save those who trust in Him. Jesus can turn the feeblest member of the Church into a blazing light in Himself. Such is God’s ability, wisdom, faithfulness, and boundless love and patience.
A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. (Isaiah 42:3)
Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the Lord will hasten it in his time. (Isaiah 60:21,22)
God’s way is not to destroy those who are weak or immature but to work with them by His grace and glory until they become a "strong nation." Mature Christians are not to please themselves but are to conduct themselves in such a manner that the weaker believers are led into paths of righteousness, until we all come "to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."
If any person who names the name of Christ walks wilfully and deliberately in sin, understanding God’s will for himself but not performing it, he is incurring the wrath of God. Even though he may have made a profession of Christ and may be correct in all doctrinal points, he cannot remain in God’s favour if he continues to disobey wilfully the Spirit of God.
But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. (Hebrews 6:8)
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, (Hebrews 10:26)
There is no sacrifice, under the old covenant or the new, that makes provision for wilful sin.
If we receive Christ by faith, are baptized in water, and obey the Lord when He gives directions for our life, the Scripture declares that we will be saved in the Day of Judgment. Christ makes up our deficiencies and we are without condemnation (Romans 8:1). However, being an overcomer, a conquering saint, requires more than the minimum demands of redemption. The rewards of ruler ship, of the first resurrection, of inheriting all things, are for the victorious saints.
The victorious saints are those who have made the pursuit of Christ the whole purpose and meaning of their existence, and who have appropriated the grace of God in Christ to the extent they are able to overcome evil with the "good" that Christ Is.
But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (Matthew 13:23)
Anyone who reads these lines can be a "hundredfold" fruit bearer. You can be an overcomer, a wholehearted disciple of Christ. Tell Jesus that from now on every second of the day is for Him, and then back up your promise with daily prayer, daily Bible reading, and holy living, as God gives you the ability.
Assemble for worship and ministry with Christian people who are fervent in the Lord. Give of your material substance. Serve in your church. Obey the Lord instantly as soon as you have proved His will in any situation. Present your body a living sacrifice. Put away the animal nature with its lusts and covetousness and be transformed into Christ’s image by the renewing of your mind in His Word and will.
The life of victory in Christ is possible and available to each Christian without exception. We must become serious concerning our discipleship. We are to live each day in the centre of the will of Christ insofar as we can perceive His will.
If our heart does not condemn us we have confidence toward God. We are in His will and we can claim overcoming status with all assurance.
Sometimes the accuser robs us of our assurance of victory by raising questions on the horizon of our mind. Our task then is to go straight to the issue and present it to God. If there is something God actually is requiring of us we are to seek His wisdom and strength until we can be totally obedient in the matter. In many instances our problem merely is an accusation of the enemy. As soon as we come to Christ our peace and joy are restored.
Living the victorious life is possible for the new believer as well as for the experienced saint. Overcoming is accomplished by His Presence and Glory, not by our determination or abilities. To overcome does not mean we attain a certain standard in the future. To overcome means to live in victory at the moment.
It is God’s will that every Christian be a conqueror of the world, of Satan, and of his own fleshly nature. Many Christians never arrive at the place where they have confidence that they actually are in the centre of the will of Christ. This is so unfortunate because victory in Christ is not as difficult to achieve as we may think.
All the resources of Heaven are ready to move into action on behalf of the needs and desires of the newest babe in Christ, as well as of the older disciple. Victory is gained by the degree of faith we exercise, not by our own strength or experience.
As soon as we cast our whole personality on Christ, trusting Him for all we need both spiritually and physically, we become part of the Lord’s army of conquerors. "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith" (I John 5:4).
Why don’t you, now, lay down this book and turn over your whole personality to Christ. Do it now. Do it again tomorrow morning. Again the next day. Then every day for the remainder of your life on the earth. The fullness of the authority and power of Christ is yours the moment you dedicate yourself to Him without reservation. Christ Himself is victory. When you possess Him you possess perfect Victory.