A Sign of Maturity

A Sign of Maturity

Philippians 3:20 (NASB)

20 “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

    Many Christians rarely hear a sermon concerning biblical prophecy. Some pastors and teachers consider prophecy to be a controversial topic, with the potential to cause disagreement and division. But the return of Christ is mentioned, directly or indirectly, in all but four books of the New Testament (Galatians, 2 and 3 John, and Philemon).

    The apostle Paul connects an understanding of the return of Christ to spiritual maturity. In Philippians 3, he describes his own desire to press on to his reunion with Christ as the culmination of his life of service on earth (verses 12-14).

Philippians 3:12-14 (NASB)

12 “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.

13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,

14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

    Then he says that all who are spiritually mature should think the same way (verse 15); we should understand that our citizenship is in heaven, not on earth, and live in expectation of meeting the Savior we followed on earth.

Philippians 3:15 (NASB)

15 “Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you.”

    So, contrary to what many believe, pursuing Christ now in anticipation of meeting Him then, is a sign of spiritual maturity according to the apostle Paul.

   If you aren’t already, begin today “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).

    C. S. Lewis said, “A continual looking forward to the eternal world is not a form of escapism or wishful thinking, but one of the things a Christian is meant to do.”