========================================================================
  OUR SPIRITUAL OBJECTIVE
  by Derek Prince
========================================================================

Summary: Derek Prince emphasizes the importance of pursuing spiritual
maturity and understanding perfection as a goal rather than a state of
sinlessness.

Topics: "Spiritual Growth", "Christian Maturity"
Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 13:11, Philippians 3:12, Hebrews 6:1, Hebrews 10:38, James 1:4

------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Derek Prince emphasizes the importance of moving towards maturity,
fulfillment, and completion in our spiritual journey, rather than being
stagnant in our faith. He highlights the misconception of sinless
perfection and the negative impact of hypocritical attitudes on the
pursuit of spiritual growth. Prince encourages believers to have a
spiritual objective and to continue progressing in their salvation,
avoiding turning back from the path of righteousness.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTENT
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of
repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of
baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of
eternal judgment. (Hebrews 6:1-2)

We seek to go on to perfection. Unfortunately, as I previously noted,
the word perfection has an unattractive sound for most Christians
because of some doctrine of sinless perfection that they've been exposed
to. In most cases, those who claim to have achieved perfection
demonstrate just the opposite by their words, behavior, and lifestyles.
This hypocritical attitude has turned people away from the pursuit of
perfection.

I would like to remind you of three alternative translations of the word
perfection that make better sense: "maturity," "fulfillment," and
"completion." The Greek word translated "perfection" comes from a noun
that means "end." Therefore, it suggests a goal or objective toward
which we are moving. I think we would all agree that having a spiritual
objective is desirable. Having entered into the way of righteousness by
faith, we can go on, or we can go back. God will have no pleasure in
anyone who turns back, so we belong to those who are moving on into the
full salvation of their souls. (See Hebrews 10:38-39.)

There are two things: the actual and the ideal. To be mature is to see
the ideal and live with the actual. To fail is to accept the actual and
reject the ideal; and to accept only that which is ideal and refuse the
actual is to be immature. Do not criticize the actual because you have
seen the ideal; Do not reject the ideal because you see the actual.
Maturity is to live with the actual but hold on to the ideal.

========================================================================
Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/derek-prince/our-spiritual-objective/
========================================================================