A Sign of Maturity by David Jeremiah

A Sign of Maturity For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Philippians 3:20 Many Christians rarely hear a sermon concerning biblical prophecy. Some pastors and teachers consider prophecy to be a controversial topic, with the potential to cause disagreement and division. But the return of Christ is mentioned, directly or indirectly, in all but four books of the New Testament (Galatians, 2 and 3 John, and Philemon).

Recommended Reading: Titus 2:13

The apostle Paul connects an understanding of the return of Christ to spiritual maturity. In Philippians 3, he describes his own desire to press on to his reunion with Christ as the culmination of his life of service on earth (verses 12-14). Then he says that all who are spiritually mature should think the same way (verse 15); we should understand that our citizenship is in heaven, not on earth, and live in expectation of meeting the Savior we followed on earth. So, contrary to what many believe, pursuing Christ now in anticipation of meeting Him then, is a sign of spiritual maturity according to the apostle Paul. If you aren’t already, begin today “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). A continual looking forward to the eternal world is not a form of escapism or wishful thinking, but one of the things a Christian is meant to do. C. S. Lewis