There is another line of thought that may prove to be edifying to us. The writings of the Apostles speak of our growth into the image of Christ and the growth of the Christian Church into maturity as measured by the fullness of Christ.

The question is, Why must the focus of the Christian ministry be on the perfecting of the saints, on their coming to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ?

Is such perfecting important in the plan of redemption, or do we believe it is commendable but not necessary that we make progress in faith, knowledge, and spiritual maturity?

If our goal is to leave the earth and attain eternal residence in Heaven, then spiritual maturity may be desirable but the main objective is to get to Heaven.

If our goal is to work alongside Jesus in the Kingdom of God, then conformity to His death and resurrection, and the untroubled abiding of Christ in us, are necessary for the attainment of the goal.

Can you see the practical aspects of what we are teaching? People under pressure do what is necessary, not what merely is commendable.

We believe spiritual maturity will be an asset to us while we are in Paradise awaiting the day of resurrection, the Day of the Lord. It is possible that we shall be assigned to a place of service in Paradise and to a fellowship of kindred spirits, according to our spiritual maturity. If so, we will be very glad indeed, when we go to be with the Lord, for every bit of the growth of Christ that has occurred in our personality.

It is true that when we die and go to Paradise we shall be free from the main source of our problems—our physical body. Also, there will be no devil, no demons to plague us continually. There will be no pressure from our environment to cause us to rebel against God.

In addition to this freedom from negative influences there will be all kinds of positive forces acting on us to press our deeds, our words, our thoughts, our imaginations, our motives, into what is pure and holy.

In Heaven we shall be free from the negative and blessed by the positive. Wicked people will have been led away into the abodes of darkness. We will be surrounded by the saints, the holy angels, and—best of all—by the love of God in Christ who then will be visible to us.

The most immature believer will be able to live without sin and rebellion as soon as he or she gets to Paradise. He may have failed every test on the earth, but if Christ grants him entrance into Paradise he will be able to walk faultlessly on the street of gold.

If such be the case, what, then, is the purpose for the endless dealings of the Holy Spirit with the saints? Why are we tested, prodded, pushed, pulled, pressed, in every conceivable manner? Why is spiritual maturity emphasized to such a great extent in the New Testament writings if we will have no need of it in Paradise?

To be continued.