For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, but through love serve one another (Galatians 5:13).

Listen as Ed Underwood teaches on Spiritual Maturity in the fourth episode of our second season.

Christ set us free to mature and love others.

Liberty leads to maturity; legalism leads to immaturity. Even one legalistic rule, regulation, or preoccupation derails the work of the Spirit in your life to make you more like Christ.

What is a rule, regulation, or preoccupation that you feel you are most vulnerable to following to “become righteous” due to your home, church, or religious culture of origin?

Liberty leads to unity; legalism leads to disunity. What do you feel is a non-biblical “standard of righteousness” by which you’re most prone to judge others?

Maturity always loves; immaturity always self-indulges. Ask God, “Where am I using my liberty in

unloving ways”? When He answers you, listen!

Love fulfills every commandment; legalism focuses on just a few. The truly liberated Christian fulfills every commandment as he or she follows the Spirit’s leading to love Christ and others. (See also Romans 8:3-4, 13:8-10.)

The burning question for the spiritually mature is not, “Am I measuring up to the expectations of my religious culture?” The burning question for the spiritually mature is, “How best am I to love others (especially in the assembly, and even more especially my enemies) with the love of Jesus?

Download the notes below for further study.