From Dependency To Maturity : Pastor Tony Samuels

A spiritual life is supposed to mirror a natural life. In the natural, even before a baby is born, it enters into a growth process. From the beginning stages to the end of life, the baby grows. As a child grows into maturity, his dependency on his parents should decrease; the attention a child needs at 2 years old is much different than the attention he needs at 16 years old. As a matter a fact, as a child grows, he wants to move from dependence to independence. Sometimes children want to rush this process, but it is nonetheless a natural process. Any healthy, loving parental relationship should encourage this process. For a parent to want a child to remain dependent on them, even through adulthood, is dysfunctional.

The five-fold ministry was never given by Jesus for dependency, or for believers to look upon them as spiritual superstars who have powers and abilities that are unattainable; rather, the five-fold ministry was given to move the people of God into spiritual maturity so they can then operate and function within the ministry. Ephesians 4:11-13 (AMP) says,  And [His gifts to the church were varied and] He Himself appointed some as apostles [special messengers, representatives], some as prophets [who speak a new message from God to the people], some as evangelists [who spread the good news of salvation], and some as pastors and teachers [to shepherd and guide and instruct], [and He did this] to fully equip and perfect the saints (God’s people) for works of service, to build up the body of Christ [the church]; until we all reach oneness in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, [growing spiritually] to become a mature believer, reaching to the measure of the fullness of Christ [manifesting His spiritual completeness and exercising our spiritual gifts in unity]. So we can see the purpose for ministry gifts is to move believers into maturity; to equip them to do the works of the ministry. Christianity was never meant to be a spectator operation, but rather an operation of participation.

Even Jesus told His disciples, “It’s better for you that I go.” John 16:7 (KJV) says, Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is expedient for you that I go away, for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. John 14:12 (KJV) says, Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. He also told them that they would do greater works. While He was on earth, He was moving them from dependency into maturity. The superstar mentality blocks the people of God from being great, because they want to be the great one. They are ok with and even feed off of you being dependent on them.

I am realizing that people are not willing to put the work in to become who God has called them to be. They are willing to live off another person who has put the work in, and this is as high as they go in their spiritual development. It is dependency, not maturity. Paul addressed this in Philippians 2:12 (AMP):  So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ]. Notice, he said to obey not only when he was present, but also in his absence. What happens when the ministry gift we idolize is absent? What happens to our salvation experience when the ministry gift goes home? Do we possess the same enthusiasm that we had in the church service, or is our enthusiasm based on environments and not convictions?

God is trying to take you from being the one calling everyone for prayer, to being the one that is being called to pray. He is trying to take you from needing deliverance to being the one that ministers deliverance. He is trying to take you from needing to be prophesied to, to being the one that is prophesying. And please don’t misunderstand; I am not saying that the mature don’t need more development. Yes, we still need to be taught and instructed by those who have greater revelations… but the motive is never for dependency; rather, it is to further you in your spiritual development.

We are building the Kingdom of God, which is building the people of God. We are not interested in building a space for spiritual performance. So let’s get our eyes off of the spiritual superstars that are stunting your growth, and put them back on Jesus, Who is the Author and Finisher of our faith. Let’s focus on becoming all that He has called us to be. Ephesians 4:14-15 (AMP):  So that we are no longer children [spiritually immature], tossed back and forth [like ships on a stormy sea] and carried about by every wind of [shifting] doctrine, by the cunning and trickery of [unscrupulous] men, by the deceitful scheming of people ready to do anything [for personal profit]. But speaking the truth in love [in all things—both our speech and our lives expressing His truth], let us grow up in all things into Him [following His example] who is the Head—Christ.