Christian Maturity

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.

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. — read the full passage →

Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; — read the full passage →

And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; — read the full passage →

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. — read the full passage →

And 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.

And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.

But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. — read the full passage →

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? — read the full passage →

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, — read the full passage →

Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Therefore 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,

What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?