Zion Spring Baptist Church
Birmingham, Alabama
A.Mixon, Pastor

Weekly Bible Lesson

A Transformed Life...
Spiritual Growth and Maturity
New Life in the Spirit

²And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:2

Lesson 9: On Unto Perfection

¹Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, ²Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. ³And this will we do, if God permit.
Hebrews 6:1-3

Over the past couple months we have been challenged by the Word of GOD to live and walk in the new life that we received when we accepted Christ and were born-again! In our first lesson, we learned that in order for us to be regenerated, something must degenerate - the old man must pass away, as we are renewed by the Spirit daily! In the lessons that followed, we learned that as we are regenerated, and grow in the grace and knowledge of GOD, our outlook and understanding of things drastically changes.

Our new life in the Spirit is not limited to all things ‘spiritual’, but it is manifested in every aspect of our lives. As we grow in grace and knowledge, our sensitivity to GOD’s presence and our awareness of His purpose for our lives sharpens – we begin to see Him in all things!

This heightened awareness (while frequently mistaken as a call to ministry or some other calling), is more frequently a call to maturity, a call to greater commitment; a call to ‘go on unto perfection.’ I pray that over the last several months, you have begun to ‘see GOD bigger’ than you ever have before! I pray that as you see Him, you don’t count His presence as an invasion or imposition but rather as a catalyst that moves us closer to possessing the abundant life that Christ died and rose to establish for us!

Can you recall the 6 main areas of our lives that we discussed?

Seeing GOD in a ‘thing’ or in a circumstance; within our necessities, our struggles, and responsibilities, bring balance to our lives!

Do you remember what we call this ‘balance’ in our lives? ______________________________________________________

GOD transforms everything that we yield to Him! He sanctifies everything that we surrender to Him! Does that make sense to you?

As a result of the lessons you’ve learned over the last several months, has anything changed in your outlook or approach to things?

On Unto Perfection…

In the text we read to day, the writer talks about ‘leaving’ the principles of the doctrines of Christ. Certainly he is not calling us to depart from sound doctrine, and to go in search of something else! Do you have any idea of what the writer was implying with these words? _______________________________________________________________________________________________

The Apostle Paul, to whom this text is ascribed, would cringe at the thought of forsaking those truths that are elemental to our faith. In fact, quite frequently he compels us to do the exact opposite. Do recall his words to Timothy?

¹⁶ Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
1 Timothy 4:16

It follows, then, at some point in our walk with GOD, we ought to grow a little. Our conversations should not be limited to ‘don’t do this, and don’t do that…’, and our discussion should go beyond the outward things. At some point, we must advance beyond the elementary and childish things that continue to entangle many of us (years after our confession) – and grow up!

It is in our ‘growing up’ that we become useful in GOD’s service, and in the service of others. While I do fully understand that growth is a process, there are many of us who have been planted here for a very long time – which should be in a position to teach and sow words of encouragement and exhortation in the lives of others – that are still struggling with the basic elements of our faith - still fighting with and praying about things to which GOD has already spoken - still praying vain, empty, prayers for strength and deliverance, while our hearts resist the Spirit and the Word of GOD! Some of us plead ignorance, while others claim weakness, but GOD has provided us an answer – a solution- to whatever our condition! If we lack wisdom, seek GOD! If we lack strength seek GOD! He withholds no good thing from His children! (James 1:5, 2 Cor. 12:9, Psalm 34:10)

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
Hebrews 5:12

I submit to you, that GOD is calling us on unto perfection! He is calling us onward to maturity! He is calling us to grow in grace and in knowledge! I contend also that the reason we continue to ‘struggle’ is simply that we have not obeyed GOD! In the areas of your life where there is confusion or strife, struggling and turmoil, I have but one question, have you obeyed GOD?

When we learn to trust Him with our families, in our relationships, with our finances, with our health, and with our jobs, much of our struggling will cease and we will find ourselves in a place of freedom and balance where we can apply ourselves more fully to GOD’s will for our lives!

GOD has a purpose for our lives – and it’s about time that we grow up and ‘go on unto perfection’…

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
I Corinthians 13:11

LORD, we know that you have called us and given us power to be your children! Thank you for your great grace and your mercy! Grant us, oh GOD, the will and the fortitude to continue in faith, and go on unto perfection! Grow us up in grace and in knowledge, in Jesus Name…
Amen