Having trouble thinking, at your age, you can change?
To mature the Christians living in Philippi, Paul wrote a letter focused on Gospel elements that bring joy to the Christian’s experience.
Paul’s encounter with the resurrected Christ began a new mission and message in his life. Yet, there was something more he worked toward; something he strove to attain; something that would mature his faith and please God. What had Paul yet to attain? Paul wanted to take hold of Jesus with the same intensity that Jesus took hold of him.
Paul’s encounter with the resurrected Christ began a new mission and message in his life. Yet, there was something more he worked toward; something he strove to attain; something that would mature his faith and please God. What had Paul yet to attain? Paul wanted to take hold of Jesus with the same intensity that Jesus took hold of him.
Paul claims to yet be made perfect. The Greek word Paul uses is “teleioo” and means to finish or complete something. It’s also translated “made mature.” Paul wrote that he wasn’t fully mature; things he was to do and things that must change in him remained and needed to be overcome if he was to continue to grow and be like Jesus. We too have things to do for God and things needing a change in our lives.
What does being a mature Christian mean? Does it mean no longer facing problems? Will all our earthly desires, needs, and wants be satisfied? Does it mean we triumph over adversity; defeat our adversaries; and live in constant peace, ease, and trouble free? If so, then not only am I not a mature Christian, I’ve never met one.
Paul defines what it means to be a mature Christian.
