Maturity in Christ: Moving Closer to the Heart of God
By Alex Reznichenko, Lead Pastor of Pillar Church
INTRODUCTION
One of the most beautiful aspects of growing in Christ is realizing that maturity isn’t about adding rules to your life—it’s about deepening your relationship with Him. As we draw closer to God, something incredible happens: we begin to live differently, not because we’re trying to follow a checklist, but because we know Him more intimately and want to honor Him in every area of our lives.
This journey of maturity is not about religion in the sense of rigid rules, but about a growing relationship with Jesus. And one of the best illustrations of this is the Old Testament tabernacle.
The Tabernacle: A Picture of Relationship
In the Old Testament, the tabernacle was a physical representation of God’s presence among His people. It had different spaces: the outer court, the holy place, and the Holy of Holies.
- The Outer Court was open to everyone—a large, accessible space where sacrifices were made.
- The Holy Place was more intimate, reserved for the priests who ministered to the Lord.
- The Holy of Holies was the most sacred space, where God’s presence dwelled, and only the high priest could enter once a year.
What’s fascinating is that as the spaces got closer to the Holy of Holies, they also became smaller and more restricted. The closer you got to God’s presence, the fewer distractions and activities were allowed. It wasn’t about exclusion—it was about intimacy.
This intimacy was further symbolized by the high priest’s posture when he entered the Holy of Holies. On the Day of Atonement, he stood between the two gold poles—the handles used to carry the Ark of the Covenant. These handles weren’t just practical; they were a visual and physical reminder of how intentional and reverent one had to be in God’s presence. The sacredness of the space left no room for casualness or distractions.
As the spaces grew smaller and the rules more specific, it wasn’t about limiting freedom but about emphasizing the unmatched privilege of standing in God’s holy presence. Each step closer required greater focus, reverence, and alignment with God’s ways.
Rules or Relationship?
This picture of the tabernacle teaches us something profound about maturity in Christ. The closer we draw to God, the more our lives naturally align with His holiness. But this isn’t about following a set of religious rules—it’s about building relationship boundaries that allow us to experience deeper intimacy with Him.
As I’ve matured in my own walk with Christ, I’ve noticed something interesting: I’ve put “rules” over my life—not because I feel obligated, but because I’ve received personal revelations from God about what will help me stay close to Him.
- I’ve turned off certain TV shows or music because they don’t reflect the values God has placed on my heart.
- I’ve chosen to spend more time in prayer or studying the Bible, not out of duty, but because I’ve come to love those moments of connection with Him.
- I’ve set boundaries around how I use my time or engage with people, not because someone told me to, but because I know those boundaries help me focus on God.
This isn’t religion—it’s relationship.
Less Space, More Holiness
The closer we move toward the “Holy of Holies” in our relationship with God, the fewer distractions and compromises we allow in our lives. Not because we’re trying to earn His love, but because we want to protect the intimacy we’ve found in Him.
Hebrews 12:14 reminds us:
“Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.”
Holiness isn’t about perfection; it’s about alignment. It’s about saying, “God, I want You more than anything else, so I’m willing to let go of anything that might take me away from You.”
Relationship Over Religion
The old saying is true: Christianity is about relationship, not religion. But here’s the thing—every meaningful relationship has boundaries. If I value my marriage, I create boundaries that protect my time and connection with my spouse. If I value my friendship with someone, I invest in that relationship and guard it from neglect.
Our relationship with Christ is no different. As we grow in maturity, we naturally begin to live in a way that reflects our love for Him. It’s not about legalism; it’s about love.
The Call to Mature
Maturing in Christ is a lifelong process. It’s about continually moving closer to God, stepping into deeper intimacy with Him, and allowing His Spirit to transform us from the inside out.
2 Corinthians 3:18 captures this beautifully:
“So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.”
The closer we get to God, the more we reflect His character. And the more we reflect His character, the more our lives align with His holiness—not because we’re forced to, but because we desire to.
A Life of Intimacy
The journey of maturity is about becoming more like Jesus, not through external rules, but through a transformed heart. It’s about drawing closer to the Holy of Holies and experiencing the fullness of God’s presence in our lives.
So, as you grow in your faith, don’t be afraid to set boundaries that protect your relationship with God. Listen to the Holy Spirit, follow His lead, and remember: the goal isn’t perfection—it’s intimacy.
At Pillar Church, we’re committed to walking this journey together. Whether you’re just starting out or have been following Christ for years, there’s always a next step to take as we grow closer to Him. Let’s keep pursuing Him with all our hearts, living in His grace, and reflecting His love to the world.
If you’re looking for a place to grow and build authentic relationships, consider joining one of our church and Life Groups. Together, we’ll walk this journey of maturity and deepen our connection with God.
