I must conclude that many who continue to read this site are being drawn toward full maturity in Christ. If you are like me, you have an intense desire to proceed to full spiritual maturity and you know you have not yet arrived. Deep inside there is an expectation of a calling that has not yet fully manifested. You will know it when you see it. Your path has taken you beyond the understanding of those who were once your teachers and it seems as though you extracted all the revelation they had to offer but there was still something missing. “You know that you know” there is more. Paul reveals this reality in Ephesians 1:
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will
Our Heavenly Father chose us in HIM before the foundation of the world, before our formation in the womb, and before our “birthday” to our designated set of parents. Do you dare comprehend this reality? We were chosen before the foundation of this world was laid! Once you embrace this truth, you come to realize the quest to ascend to the fullness of maturity in HIM.
My friend Roy and I have made several backpacking trips to Colorado. The mountains are majestic. Of course we sought to go to the top of the mountain. Why? Because it is there, we saw it. From the base of the mountain, it doesn’t look that far away but as you proceed up the mountain, you find that it takes hours to ascend… not minutes. The air gets thinner and you are easily winded. How do you get to the top? One step at a time, slowly but surely. One particular mountain we ascended is known as Pyramid Peak. At times we had to crawl by hand and foot in the ascension. There was more than one trail option to arrive at the top, some were easier than others. When we finally made it to the apex, there was a tube with pencil and paper to record your success but more important, the view was second to none. You could see other peaks for miles and miles. It was breathtaking.
Our road to maturity is similar. Less and less people will be found as you are ascending toward maturity. Many will try by emotion but that fades as the air gets thinner. They will look back at the comfort of the valley and turn back. But you will continue the climb as you are drawn to the mountain. Yes it can seem lonely at times but Our Heavenly Father will send like-minded brethren across your path. The trials and tests are offset by HIS blessings and encouragement providing you with assurance that you are on the right path which will get you to the desired destination.
Exodus 34:2 So be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai, and present yourself to Me there on the top of the mountain.
3 And no man shall come up with you, and let no man be seen throughout all the mountain; let neither flocks nor herds feed before that mountain.”
When Moses was told to get the “stones” of the renewed Covenant, he was to go alone. He did not lead an entourage with him. When we are called into HIS Presence it will be fulfilled at the individual level. No one will be with us as we enter the Holy of Holies of HIS Presence. A door or portal separates us from HIS Presence. Each of us must open this door when we hear the knocking. As we open the door, we will hear the words “Come up hither”. Don’t hesitate, HE chose us before the foundation of the world. Let me encourage you to proceed on and be not dismayed. What appears to be a delay is actually ordained to complete the process of your maturity. The wheat and the tares were allowed to grow together until both were fully mature. Each of us must focus on our individual journey. Don’t think that the actions of others will somehow transfer to your account. Each must make the trip up the mountain individually. See you at the top.
The summary of the process to maturity: foreknow, predestinate, called, justified, glorified
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.