The Cross Revealed

God has given us all that we need to lead a life pleasing to Him. We abandon confidence in ourselves or other men, and cast ourselves on Jesus, "The author and finisher of our faith".

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Spiritual Maturity

1 ¶  This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3  Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4  One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5  (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6  Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7  Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
8 ¶  Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
9  Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.


Jesus said that we would know the nature of the tree by the fruit it bears. Good fruit means good tree. We can see this in nature, and we can see this in the lives of our spiritual leaders. What sort of fruit would we look for in one who is spiritually mature?

1. Humility. 
2. Integrity
3. Steadfast in spirit
4. Grateful
5. Not self seeking
6. Not easily offended
7. Not hungry for the world's gain

These are just a few of the qualities I would look for in a leader. Any comments?