We often complicate things too much. Lofty philosophical and theological ideas often leave no footprints in the dirt.
After trusting Christ as our Savior and Lord, what do we do to mature in our faith? Here are four basic points everyone needs to do consistently.
Be a student of the Word of God. We need to strive to read the Bible every day. The reading/study should be structured. Read through complete books of the Bible, reading a few chapters each day. Grazing around in the Bible is not the best study method unless you are researching a topic. I highly recommend using a yearly plan to set the course to read the Bible each year. Print a copy of our yearly reading plan here.
When you become well acquainted with God’s Word, you will recognize an untruth immediately.
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV
Be a person of prayer. Daniel prayed three times a day. Jesus prayed often and long. We should start our day with prayer and close the day with prayer. We should go in a state of continual prayer throughout the day.
Pray the Lord’s Prayer often (See Matt. 6:9-13) and more importantly use it as a prayer guide. Develop prayer lists to remind you what to pray. Family members, friends, families in our church, sick people, and people who need Jesus; they need our prayers. Read/print our simple Prayer Guide here.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV
Be loyal to a Christian church. It is important to fellowship with other believers. We all need to be accountable to one another. As we journey together, we receive guidance, strength, and encouragement from each other. We are stronger together than being ‘Lone Rangers’.
“I can’t find a good church!” is not a good excuse. Churches are not perfect [good] because they are made up of broken people seeking wholeness and healing in Jesus. Learning to deal with imperfect people is part of the process. Learning forgiveness is part of the process. Seeing good in others rather than their faults is a holy pursuit.
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:24-25 NKJV
Be obedient and surrendered to the Lord Jesus. Living a submitted life is a lifelong pursuit. It is an everyday choice and often a moment-by-moment decision. The best life we can live is listening to the Spirit of God and being obedient to His whispers. Live like Jesus is more than a cliché.
Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?
Romans 6:16 NKJV
Wrapping it up. We can gain much from seminars, concerts, internet sermons, etc., but nothing will lead us into Christian maturity as the four pillars of discipleship. Diligence and consistency are the characteristics of strong Christians. The devil will give you too many excuses to be sloppy in your pursuit of being a follower of Jesus.
As we weave these four threads of discipleship into our lives, the fabric of our Christian life will become strong. Others will see our strength. We will be a help to others. People will ask us to pray for them because they see Jesus in us. They will ask us questions, and we will have an answer by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
Grow strong in Jesus by following these four pillars. I have been a follower of Jesus for fifty-nine years. Nothing has helped me more in my Journey with Jesus as these four pillars. No glitz or glitter will substitute for the basics of discipleship. Bless you in your journey.
Yours on the Journey,
Harry L. Whitt
Pathway Journey 