THE INDIVIDUAL
Personal obedience is a necessary expression of faith in Christ. We are to obey the teachings of Christ and the apostles not as a means of salvation, but as a grateful response to the grace we have received. Likewise our obedience is not motivated by slavish adherence to external laws, but by inner commitment to love God and please Him in all respects. While perfection is unattainable in this life, we press on toward the goal of full obedience to Christ.
Rom. 1:5; Rom. 16:26; James 2:18-26; Eph. 2:8-10; Col. 1:9-12; 2 Cor. 3:5-6; Matt. 22:34-40; Rom. 13:8-10; Phil. 3:12-14
The devotional life is the practice of private worship. It recognizes that the heart of the Christian faith is a personal relationship between the God of holy love and human beings for whom He cares. For this bond of fellowship and love to grow, the believer must give consistent attention to prayer and to the reading and study of Scripture. In faithful devotional life God meets us and we meet Him. The effect is the believer’s deepening trust, growing understanding, and Christlike living.
Deut. 7:6-16; 1 John 4:7-19; Luke 5:16; Phil. 4:6-7; 2 Tim. 2:15; 2 Tim. 3:14-17; Phil. 4:8-9; Ps. 1:1-6; Ps. 9:10
Spiritual maturity is the process of transforming the entire character of the believer into the image of Christ. He is the source, the focus, and the goal of this process. Christians mature as they practice a vital devotional life, use their gifts, share their faith, and demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit. The result is a character marked by wisdom, balance, and, above all, love.
Eph. 4:11-13; Gal. 2:20; Phil 1:21; Col. 2:6; Ps. 1:1-6; Eph. 4:11-16; 1 Pet. 3:15; Gal. 5:16-25; Col. 1:9-10; 1 Cor. 13:4-7