Calculated Evolution

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honour beside God's throne in heaven. Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don't become weary and give up.

Hebrews 12 : 1 - 3 (NLT)

When a child is born if the child gets to the age he or she should start to crawl and the child didn’t, the parents and anyone who knows such child will be worried for the child. Same is applicable to us Christians. At repentance, one dies to sin and is therefore BORN AGAIN, this time, unto righteousness. Spiritual growth begins at salvation when Jesus sets us free from sin, it continues as we walk in newness of life, remaining free from sin’s yokes.

It is a given, that none of us will, in our lifetime, reach spiritual perfection. Thus, we should live in the awareness that, this side of eternity, we will always have room to grow spiritually. This desire to be like Christ will cause us to make spiritual maturity our lifelong goal. When one starts feeling that they are spiritually mature, they will start feeling the less need to grow spiritually. The things that are needful for growth will become of no importance to them, thus they end up slipping back into spiritual immaturity.

To growth and continue to grow spiritually, first, we need to recognise that we have not arrived at full spiritual maturity. Then we, as Paul did, should press towards the mark for the prize (Philippians 3: 13, 14), like an athlete pursuing victory. Next, we should not allow the failures we had recorded in the past hold us down. Finally, we should unremittingly set our eyes on the prize, seeing the quest as an earthly pursuit that will reach its eternal goal in heaven.

Spiritual maturity is not developed easily and quickly. We can, and should, spend our lives as Christians growing in Christ. It should be our lifelong pursuit, not just a momentary interest. Even the most seasoned believers need to continue growing.