Spiritual Maturity Part 2

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June 6, 2004  A.D.


Spiritual Maturity Part 2

Listen to this message to hear a character study revealing how spiritual maturity in Old Testament saints could be understood through their reactions to their existence in a decadent, wicked culture as well as through their dependence on God to secure them in all situations in the joy of His salvation. {This is the continuation of this topic from May30, 2004 A.D.)

Old Testament Scripture Reading: Habakkuk 1:1 – 7  (NASB)
Hab 1:1  The oracle which Habakkuk the prophet saw.
Hab 1:2  How long, O LORD, will I call for help, And Thou wilt not hear? I cry out to Thee, “Violence!” Yet Thou dost not save.
Hab 1:3  Why dost Thou make me see iniquity, And cause me to look on wickedness? Yes, destruction and violence are before me; Strife exists and contention arises.
Hab 1:4  Therefore, the law is ignored And justice is never upheld. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore, justice comes out perverted.
Hab 1:5  “Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder! Because I am doing something in your days– You would not believe if you were told.
Hab 1:6  “For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, That fierce and impetuous people Who march throughout the earth To seize dwelling places which are not theirs.
Hab 1:7  “They are dreaded and feared. Their justice and authority originate with themselves.
New Testament Scripture Reading: 1 John 2:1  (KJV )
1 John 2:1  My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;
1 John 2:2  and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.
1 John 2:3  And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.
1 John 2:4  The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;
1 John 2:5  but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him:
1 John 2:6  the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.