Obstacles to Maturity

"Therefore, laying aside all malice all deceit,hypocrisy,envy,and all evil speaking, as new born babes, desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious." 1Peter 2:1-3.

What does God want from our lives? He wants to change us from self-centred men and women into mature spirit-filled an spirit-controlled vessels so that we will be free from those character traits God can not use to work His will.

Remember the Peter, the big fisher man? The faltering follower? The denying disciple? The impetous apostle? The loving leader? The miraculous man of faith?The magnificent martyr?

Remember Peter, the big paradox? The humble human and the sanctified saint? the coward and the christian? The backslider and the believer?

Peter, in the flesh, had problems-big problems. But Peter, in the spirit, had potential-eal potential unleashed by the power of God.

Remember Peter, the big example of what we are and what we can be? God who accomplished so much in Peter's life can do the same in ours. Peter's secret? Though not perfect, he was controlled by Christ alone.

As we get to know Peter, we will find that Peter is just like everyone of us. he possesses all the faults and frailties we wish did not exist in ourselves. There is a great deal of Simon in every believer- the weaknesses and negative things, etc.

Peter was in many ways the most impressive of all the disciples, and yet he was one who needed to learn the most dramatic lessons.

People like Simon Peter, and people like you and me who are willing to be changed can be used by God to do amazing things.all of us carry around much excesss baggage that needs to go. We have many attitudes, habits, weights, and so many ways about us that are undesirable rthat He simply has to make changes before He can use us.

Hebrews 12:1-3; 2Peter 3:18.

Peter is an example of facing and overcoming obstacles to maturity. Let us learn some lessons from his life:

1st Obstacle: Unwillingness to take up the cross: Matthew 16: 21-27.

Peter was refusing to take up the cross when he said to the Lord, "far it (the crucifixion) be from you, Lord; this shall not happen to you!" (16:22). The unredeemed mind is not acepting the things of God from His point of view. The unregenerate or fleshly mind is at enmity with God and so can not comprehend His plans: Romans 8:6-8.

Peter was thinking as a man and letting Satan influence him.Peter needs to learn to die to himself, his own wishes, preferences & opinions.And let Christ rule totally without contradiction and without opposition.

Bearing the cross means, when your self-will and your confident attitude cross the will of God and you humbly choose to follow God's will, you have taken up the cross.