Christianity Unbound

Just as there is a difference between physical height or stature and physical maturity the same rules apply in the spiritual. A boy and a girl are born with all that is necessary to procreate but their bodies will still need to mature in order to do so. And even then it will take emotional maturity to handle that process. With salvation, God gives each person all that is necessary for life. But it takes maturity. Spiritual growth is the receiving of spiritual knowledge. One author even makes a distinction between being spiritual and spirituality. A person is spiritual once they have reached a level of profound perception and spiritual understanding. This is very different from a “spiritual” person. That person has become very skilled at the trappings of what a spiritual person acts like. He or she has learned to speak a certain way and react in a certain way according to circumstances either at home or at church. Unregenerated persons in the church, as well as Christians who are unspiritual, learn to mimic “spiritual” behavior. They are able to act out the spiritual gifts. Such as speaking in tongues or even displaying a measure of patience or long suffering, serving in ministry, sharing their faith or even in the memorization of scriptures, which are all great things but apart from God do not have much value. God examines the driving force behind everything that we do and if that is not the love of God and the love for God’s people it is worthless. 1 Corinthians 13 illustrates very clearly that it is possible to appear spiritual and to still be very far from God. Spirituality, on the other hand, is only achieved when one applies the word of God to their lives because of their love and devotion to the Lord. Spirituality, not spiritual growth, is then locked to Christian maturity as in both cases the person of God appreciates and understands God’s word. Christians can and do grow spiritually through exposure to the word of God. This can occur through personal devotions, sermons, Sunday school or classes. Each one of us grows as we are exposed to the word of God. Spiritual maturity is different. Spiritual maturity is the proper understanding and application of the word that we have received. Spiritual growth is theory, while spiritual maturity is application; it is the point where the Christian rightly handles the word of God. The fact is that it is possible to grow in knowledge and still lack a true understanding of what has been learned. A child can grow to impressive physical stature at a young age and still be very awkward both physically and emotionally.

We would never equate a 6’3” thirteen year boy with an adult just because he has the height of an adult, although his body has grown to adult proportions, mentally he is tied to his age. We understand that height and maturity are not the same things. His body may say grown but his attitude, demeanor and focus are that of a child. So why is this allowed in the church, where years of attendance or salvation equates to maturity. The church houses many who are very knowledgeable of the word of God but who are very immature spiritually. They have scripture memorized, they teach Sunday school, they even lead ministries but spiritually they are immature.

This disconnect between being spiritual and spirituality is seen in the falling away of a generation of youth from the church, many of whom grew up in the church. They have grown up and observed religious behavior within the church and it has pushed them out of the church to seek other aspirations and other gods. They have experienced church services and acts of ministry and sensed no energy, no δύναμις (dunamis) , and no real passion for God. What they have experienced are spiritual acts, like parts of a play, where each person acts out the role they have been assigned and it is supposed to relate in some way to the Almighty God.