The Challenge:
Topic: The Word of God
Spend a few minutes reading, praying, and meditating on the following verses:
Matthew 4:4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Challenge: Define your own spiritual maturity, on a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being a horrible sinner, and 10 being fully Christlike (complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work). In your journal (or here https://www.quiettime.today/journal) write down your current spiritual maturity, and the steps you want to take in order to grow.
Bonus verse:
1 Peter 2:2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby
More information: https://www.quiettime.today/blog/challenge-2
More information:
The challenge of day 2 is about growth. In life, we start as little babies, and then we slowly but surely grow up into adults. This does not happen automatically, but requires amongst others food and drink and time. It is no different in our spiritual life. When we become Christians, we are babes in Christ, and we will grow up over time by taking in spiritual food. The spiritual food we need is the Word of God. Jesus explained that just as our bodies need bread, so our spirits need God’s Word.
Matthew 4:4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
Just like our bodies need food every day, our spirits need God’s Word, every day. In fact, we typically eat food three times a day, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. How often should we take in God’s Word on a daily basis? Perhaps also more than just once?
Paul explains that it is God’s Word that will help us become complete and mature Christians.
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
This kind of maturity is attainable. James writes the following about it:
James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
We see that suffering in our lives can work to purify us. Just like metals are refined in an oven, so that its impurities are brought to the surface and can be removed, so are the trials in our lives meant to refine us. If we allow ourselves to be purified by them, by patiently enduring them and using them to draw closer to God, we will grow into perfect and complete (mature) Christians.
The Greek word that James uses for perfect is “teleios”. It is derived from télos, which means "consummated goal". So teleois means mature, completed, going through the necessary stages to reach the end-goal. It is about being developed into a consummating completion by fulfilling the necessary process. It is the result of a spiritual journey.
Here are some other verses in which the same word is used:
James 2:2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect (teleios) man, able also to bridle the whole body.
Hebrews 5:12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age (teleios), that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect (teleios) and complete in all the will of God.
Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature (teleios), have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.
And finally, from our Lord Himself:
Matthew 5:46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your [p]brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect (teleios), just as your Father in heaven is perfect (teleios).
The challenge asked you to rate your own maturity. I put together the following scale, which is by no means meant to be complete or exhaustive, but it has been helpful for me.
A new believer who now knows that some sins are bad but who has not changed her habits yet.
Starts going to church regularly.
Starts a daily quiet time including Bible reading and prayer.
Has removed the most obvious sin patterns from his life (getting drunk, lying, gossiping, adultery, pornography, stealing, cheating).
Is regularly engaged in Bible study, studies the Bible herself, and memorizes scripture daily.
Has led someone else to Christ.
Has removed most of the more subtle sins from his life (anger, jealousy, frustration, covetousness, anxiety, pride, greediness, self-centeredness).
Is actively mentoring one or more others into Christlikeness.
Is regularly leading people to Christ and is experiencing love, joy, peace, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control on a daily basis.
Is a fully mature (teleios) Christlike Christian whose heart is fully devoted to God every minute of every day. Someone like Paul, Peter or John.
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