A Practical Guide for Transformative Growth Part 1Sample

WHO - Jesus Is Our Model and Standard for What Maturity Looks Like

We already looked at Jesus as our standard of maturity in Ephesians 4:13, but let’s dig a little deeper. It is important to remember that Jesus is our standard because we tend to define maturity in comparison to the people around us. They are not the standard; Jesus is. Since we are looking at the transformation process from a more relational standpoint, it is useful to look at what Jesus modelled relationally:

• Connecting intimately to the Father

• Discipling, empowering, unifying and doing life with His disciples

• Demonstrating unconditional love and absolute dominion to the world as He taught, healed, cast out demons and ultimately died on the cross for us

We too must have the realities in our lives of an intimate connection with the Godhead, a small group of brothers and sisters with whom we do life together, and influence in our sphere of the world that demonstrates the sacrificial love of God and the sovereign power of God. Love without power is just good works that nice people do. Power without love is a corruption from Satan. Only love and power together accurately display the character of God.

This content was adapted from the book BECOMING mature: A Practical Guide for Disciples of Jesus by Matik Nicholls. To purchase or explore more resources from Authentic Joy, click here !