Spiritual Proclamation for the Week
We may drape our human frame with fancy clothes, and surround ourselves with various glittering possessions, yet at the end of this life, our worth is not what we possess, but who possesses us!’
May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:19
Spiritual Power and Maturity
Ephesians 3:14-19 is a prayer of the Apostle Paul for the Ephesian believers, expressing his desire for them to comprehend the vastness of God’s love.
The spiritual message in these verses centers on the incomprehensible, boundless love of Christ. Paul is praying that the Ephesian believers, and all future believers, would have the spiritual power and understanding to fully grasp the dimensions of Christ’s love while living and bearing witness on the earth.
This message emphasizes the immeasurable and unconditional love that Christ has for His followers. Such love surpasses human understanding and goes beyond the limits of our finite minds. Paul wants faithful believers to experience and know the fullness of this love, which can transform their lives and enable them to live in a way that reflects the depth of God’s love for them.
“True spiritual power is not measured by external displays, but by the depth of inner peace and love one cultivates.“
Being Strengthened with the Holy Spirit
According to the authentic teachings of the New Covenant, the ministry of the Holy Spirit strengthens the inner man, or the inner being, of disciples of the Messiah in several progressive ways.
- Spiritual Renewal: The Holy Spirit works within believers to bring about spiritual transformation and renewal. Through the process of regeneration, the Spirit gives new life to individuals, making them spiritually alive and empowering them to live according to God’s will (Titus 3:5).
- Indwelling Presence: The Holy Spirit takes up residence within believers, dwelling in their hearts (1 Corinthians 3:16). This indwelling presence of the Spirit provides comfort, guidance, and a constant source of strength. The Spirit empowers believers to resist temptation, overcome challenges, and live by God’s purposes.
- Empowerment for Service: The Holy Spirit equips believers with spiritual gifts, which are bestowed for the edification of the Church and the advancement of God’s kingdom. These gifts include abilities such as teaching, prophesying, healing, serving, and many others (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). Through the exercise of these gifts, believers are strengthened and enabled to serve others effectively.
- Conviction and Guidance: The Holy Spirit convicts believers of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8). The Spirit guides believers in making wise choices, discerning truth, and aligning their lives with God’s purposes. The inner prompting and guidance of the Holy Spirit empower believers to live according to God’s principles and walk in obedience.
- Fruit of the Spirit: The Holy Spirit produces the fruit of the Spirit in the lives of believers (Galatians 5:22-23). This refers to the Christlike qualities that develop in believers as they yield to the Spirit’s work within them, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These virtues strengthen and transform the inner man, shaping character and conduct.
Through these lifelong and progressive means, the Holy Spirit strengthens the inner being of faithful believers, enabling them to grow in their faith, exhibit godly character, and live by God’s will. The Spirit’s empowering presence is seen as essential for the ongoing spiritual growth and transformation of individuals.
For me, it is simply impossible not to reiterate where Paul communicated the central place this ongoing miracle was to take place. Look at verse 17, “So that Messiah may live in your hearts through your trusting.” It is through prayer, that the family of God is forged into the character of Christ, by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
The infilling of the Holy Spirit with the measure of the faith of the followers will abide in the love of God while obtaining spiritual disciplines which in time, produces spiritual maturity. There is an unspoken additional reality that must be communicated, there has to be a very healthy balance of biblical literacy coupled with the power of the Holy Spirit within the faithful follower’s life.
For the Word of God is quick, powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
“Spiritual maturity is the realization that true power lies not in controlling others, but in mastering oneself.“
Spiritual Maturity
To become spiritually mature means to take on the likeness or the traits of Jesus our Savior as our very best model to follow. Paul’s unique calling and commission by the Risen Lord were central to building the spiritual growth of the Body of Christ.
In Col. 1:28, he says to the Beloved Community, “Him [Christ] we preach, warning every man/woman and teaching every man/woman in all wisdom, that we may present every man/woman perfect in Christ Jesus.
The Greek word for perfect is téleios, meaning perfect, consummate, complete, mature, accomplished, and arrant. The very basic definition of spiritual growth is the developmental process through which a follower of Messiah gradually becomes characterized by those traits that marked Jesus of Narezeth.
Below are several major traits that marked Jesus of Nazareth, as depicted in the New Covenant accounts and Biblical teachings. Here are some key traits:
- Love and Compassion: Jesus consistently demonstrated a deep love and compassion for others. He showed care and concern for the marginalized, the sick, the outcasts, and those in need. His ministry was characterized by acts of kindness, healing, and reaching out to those society had rejected.
- Humility: Jesus exemplified humility throughout his life. He willingly took on the role of a servant and taught his followers the importance of humility and servanthood. He washed the feet of his disciples and emphasized that the last should be first.
- Wisdom and Teaching: Jesus was renowned for his knowledge and powerful teaching. He used parables, analogies, and direct instruction to convey profound spiritual truths and ethical principles. His teachings continue to have a profound impact on individuals and societies worldwide.
- Righteousness and Holiness: Jesus lived a life of perfect righteousness and holiness. He consistently obeyed God’s commandments and lived according to God’s will. His sinless nature qualified him to be the perfect sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins.
- Forgiveness and Grace: Jesus exemplified forgiveness and grace, both in his teachings and through his actions. He forgave those who wronged him, including his persecutors on the cross. He extended grace to sinners, offering them forgiveness and a fresh start.
- Authority and Power: Jesus displayed authority over sickness, demons, and natural elements. He performed miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, and turning water into wine, demonstrating his divine power.
- Radical Inclusivity: Jesus welcomed people from all walks of life, regardless of their social status, ethnicity, or background. He broke societal norms by engaging with Samaritans, tax collectors, and sinners, affirming the value and worth of every individual.
“True spiritual power is not about accumulating knowledge, but embodying wisdom and living it every day.”
What are the greatest threats against Believers walking in power and maturity today? [This listing and the following, is the compilation of various theologians and social researchers on the ancient and modern trends and systemic impact upon Biblical and religious practices and beliefs]
- Distractions and busyness: The fast-paced nature of modern life can lead to distractions and busyness that can hinder spiritual growth. Constant engagement with technology, social media, and the demands of daily life can make it difficult to prioritize spiritual practices and maintain a deep connection with one’s faith.
- Secular influences: The prevalence of secularism and materialism in society can challenge believers’ commitment to their faith. The values and priorities promoted by the secular world often clash with spiritual teachings, leading to conflicts and doubts.
- Spiritual complacency: After experiencing a certain level of spiritual power and maturity, some individuals may become complacent and stop seeking further growth. This can lead to stagnation and a lack of motivation to pursue deeper spiritual understanding.
- Moral relativism: The concept of moral relativism, where there is no absolute truth or moral standard, can undermine believers’ convictions and make it challenging to uphold their faith in a world that promotes subjective values.
- Persecution and opposition: In various parts of the world, believers face persecution, discrimination, and opposition due to their faith. This can pose significant challenges to those seeking to walk in spiritual power and maturity, as they may face resistance from society, family, or even their community.
- Internal struggles: Internal struggles, such as doubt, guilt, and spiritual dryness, can also pose threats to believers’ spiritual growth. These struggles can arise from personal circumstances, unresolved conflicts, or theological questions, and they require careful attention and support.
It’s important to note that these challenges are not insurmountable, and believers can overcome them through prayer, seeking guidance from spiritual mentors, engaging in regular spiritual practices, building a supportive community, and studying and reflecting upon their faith.
Perhaps the greatest change agent toward increased spirituality and maturity within the modern Body of Christ is a greater focus on discipleship formation within the Body of Christ as opposed to the focus on membership within the church structure. While this suggestion may be offensive, there is a vast difference between the two.
In its basic construct, discipleship is primarily focused on personal spiritual growth and following Jesus, while church membership is about formal affiliation with a specific local church and engaging in its communal life and activities. While the two concepts often intersect, one can be a disciple of Jesus without formal church membership, and church membership alone does not guarantee discipleship.
“Spiritual maturity comes from integrating the light and shadow aspects of oneself, embracing both the divine and the human within.“
How is this list of threats different than the early 1st and 2nd generation followers of Christ?
- Persecution: Early followers of Christ faced intense persecution from both religious and political authorities. They were often imprisoned, tortured, and even martyred for their faith. While persecution still exists in some parts of the world today, its scale and intensity may differ from what early believers experienced.
- Cultural context: The cultural context in which believers live today is vastly different from that of the early Church. Early believers often faced pressure to conform to pagan religious practices and societal norms that were at odds with their faith. In contrast, modern believers may encounter different challenges stemming from secularism, relativism, and the influence of consumerism and materialism.
- Availability of resources: Today, believers have access to a wealth of resources that can support their spiritual growth, including printed Bibles, online sermons, books, podcasts, and community gatherings. In contrast, early believers often faced a scarcity of resources and had to rely on oral tradition, personal testimonies, and a limited number of written texts.
- Theological challenges: Early believers faced challenges related to the establishment and clarification of Christian theology. They grappled with questions surrounding the nature of Christ, the Trinity, and the relationship between Jewish and Gentile believers. While theological challenges continue to exist today, many foundational Christian doctrines have been established and clarified over centuries of study and reflection.
- Spread of information: The advent of modern technology, especially the internet and social media, has significantly changed the way information is disseminated. Today, believers have access to a vast amount of information and can engage in discussions and debates on theological and spiritual matters across geographical boundaries. This also means they are exposed to a wider range of perspectives and potential misinformation.
Despite these differences, there are also commonalities between the challenges faced by believers today and those faced by the early generations. Both face the need to navigate societal pressures, maintain spiritual discipline, contend with doubt and opposition, and cultivate a deep relationship with God. The specific context may change, but the call to faithfulness and perseverance remains constant and paramount.
Closing Comments
Our brief study into Ephesians 3:14-19 contains a much-needed and continuous prayer of the latter-day saints for the complete Body of Christ worldwide. In this text, Paul’s prayer focused upon his desire that the Body of Messiah, would be strengthened and grow to spiritual maturity by God’s Spirit while facing all sorts of internal and external challenges.
This prayer was not directed to the mind of the faithful, but that our living Savior would inner dwell within our hearts, that all of us would behold, while bearing witness to the world, based upon our degree of faith, the full dimensions of God’s endless love in this life, and the eternal life to come. Amen
Grace and Peace
Brother Alonzo
