There are three important aspects essential for spiritual growth and maturity. It is the Way of life. The Bible states: “For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life. (Proverbs 6:23)
Commandment: God has given His commandments, requirements, and expectations. God gave the Law through Moses. The moral laws, social laws, hygiene laws, and spiritual laws of worship were given. The Ten Commandments are God’s standards by which the whole world will be judged. (Exodus 20:1-17) The Commandments are for all humanity. Ignorance of the Law is no excuse. (Romans 1:20) Listening, reading, meditating, memorizing, and living according to the Law is mandatory for all human beings. God’s laws are not burdensome, instead bring blessings. (I John 5:3)
Teaching: If commandments are like a lamp, then the teachings are like shedding light. The commandments ought to be taught, and explained so that people can apply them in their lives. The prophets in the Old Testament explained and applied the Law in the day-to-day lives of Israel. The Ethiopian eunuch who was reading the book of Isaiah, told Philip: How can I understand unless someone teaches or explains to me? (Acts 8:31) The Great Commission of the Lord is to make disciples and teach them to obey all that the Lord had taught the disciples. (Matthew 28:18-20) One of the qualifications for Christian ministry is being able to teach. (II Timothy 2:24)
Reproofs of discipline: Even when the commandments are taught diligently, many people may not obey diligently. Like anything thrown up will fall by the pull of gravity, humans are pulled by temptation and the world to commit sins against God. Hence, there is a need for course correction by discipline. The Bible warns against treating discipline with contempt. (Proverbs 3:11-12) God loves His people and hence disciplines them. God does not enjoy seeing the pain when a person is disciplined, but does it lovingly to correct and restore them.
Do I walk in the light of the gospel?