Attachment and Spiritual Maturity 5
balance several of these themes or emphasize one preference as the way to train the mind and will. This leads to spiritual maturity.
Another route to spiritual maturity is the approach which includes the affective
response to the need for social justice. For instance, some have followed the heart and
spirit ofMother ofTeressa and have given their lives to the cause of Christian service by
helping care for the sick, poor, and needy. Some have formed organizations such as Food
For the Hungry, while others have experienced spiritual growth by having left their home
and country to feed the hungry, heal the broken-hearted, or set the captive free. For these
people, responding from the heart in service to others is paramount. Scripture adds the
dimension of love to Christian service by suggesting that by love people should serve one
another (Galatians 5:13). This passage argues that spiritual maturity involves freedom of
the believer to choose to serve others in love (Braunius, Ecklebarger, Loth, Newton,
Patterson, & Ross, 1988).
Another avenue to finding spiritual growth is through relationships in small group
communities. This follows the example of Jesus who gathered disciples around him
whom he loved, trained, and sent out. The key to small group ministry, is the authentic
and accountable discipleship relationship between group members. Those who believe in
small groups propose that if Christians are to grow to maturity and have an impact on
society, committed personal relationships of love and trust that support a Christian way
of life must be nurtured (Blattner, 1987). It is this love and trust leading to depth of intimacy in human relationships that is
being suggested by Houston ( 1989) which will also bring depth to relationship with God.
Although created for relationship, the sin of wounding one another is universal, creating a
need for God. In reverse, a rich relationship with God will give depth to other
relationships (Houston, 1989). As a person' s relationship with God deepens, there is a
gravitation toward others. So the nature of one's relationship itself gives greater depth of
spiritual maturity.
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