A person can become a Christian in a single moment in time; but the spiritual maturity of Christians is developed over a lifetime as they learn more and more. Jesus invites us into his school so that we will get beyond the basics of the faith and become spiritually mature. Jesus did not command us to make converts. He commanded us to make disciples.
Jesus does not save us and then forget us. He takes people who have come to him and invites them to a lifetime of learning. In Matthew 11: 25 Jesus thanked God because He had revealed the deep mysteries of the kingdom of God to “little children” who were ripe for learning. Their willingness to learn contrasts to those who think themselves to be wise and who think that they already know it all. The first step to learning in the school of Jesus is to have the attitude of a child who knows that there is much to learn.
I recently heard one of our members say, “If your sphere of ignorance is not expanding exponentially greater than your sphere of knowledge, you have a severe ego problem.” I like that. I believe it applies to our Christian walk. The more we learn about Jesus, the more we know we need to learn.
Being a disciple who loves upward, inward and outward means we are constantly learning how to do these things more and better. Have you learned anything lately? Look back at your spiritual life over the past year, or five years, or ten years. Can you see progress?
- Are your times of worship sweeter and more frequent? Or are you satisfied to only worship on Sunday mornings?
- Are your relationships with brothers and sisters in Christ deepening? Is your circle of friendships with fellow Christians growing? Or do you just check in with those you sit by on Sunday?
- How often do you share the good news of Jesus with others? Do you prayerfully ask for opportunities to have spiritual conversations with persons in your life? Or are you satisfied with only superficial contact with non-Christians?
We are the church. If our church is to continue growing, we must grow numerically and in maturity. Eliza Hewitt wrote a song that should be our motto:
More about Jesus would I know, More of His grace to others show;
More of His saving fullness see, More of His love Who died for me.
More about Jesus let me learn, More of His holy will discern;
Spirit of God, my teacher be, Showing the things of Christ to me.
More about Jesus; on His throne, Riches in glory all His own;
More of His kingdom’s sure increase; More of His coming, Prince of Peace.
Refrain:
More, more about Jesus, More, more about Jesus;
More of His saving fullness see, More of His love Who died for me.
—
Rick Stewart, Discipleship Pastor