Maturing in Christ focuses on Christian truth that relates to living a successful spiritual life. Before a Christian can realize a consistent victorious spiritual life some basic truths must be understood: 1) the riches given by God at salvation to live Christ-like; 2) who the spiritual enemies are and how they attack; 3) and how to utilize divine enabling when resisting the enemies in order to live a successful Christian life. The Christian has three spiritual enemies: Satan, the world system and the sin nature. Dr. Schafer uses Scripture to identify these adversaries and how to access God's provisions for the strength to be victorious over them. This expository study of the Word is dedicated to Dr. Schafer's lifelong desire for saints to live Christ-like. H. LaVern Schafer served the Lord in several capacities for over 65 years as a Christian. He was pastor for 53 years, seminary professor for 44 years, and director of Dispensational Theological Seminary for 28 years. He earned his Doctorate of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary, where his class was one of the last taught by Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer. Dr. Schafer practiced a literal interpretation of Scripture. He believed that God's Word is meant to be interpreted literally to determine the exact concepts God is communicating and not what the reader wishes the Word to say. This desire resulted in a dispensational approach while interpreting Scripture with a historical linguistic treatment of the original text. His Christian Life series of booklets have been a blessing to thousands of believers. He went home to be with the Lord in 2008.
