MATURITY
"For you are still (unspiritual, having the nature) of the flesh--under the control of ordinary impulses. For as long as [there are] envying and jealousy and wrangling and factions among you, are you not unspiritual and of the flesh, behaving yourselves after a human standard and like mere unchanged men?" ( 1 Corinthians 3:3 AMP)
It is the mature that multiplies and is fruitful. It is the mature who can rightfully handle privileges and responsibilities. Maturity in the Christian faith is indicated by our love one for another. The presence of mutual respect and trust between God's people is a demonstration of our trust and respect for God. The mature view sees other believers as "fellow workmen with and for God" (1 Corinthians 3:8). The foundation upon which we Christ-followers build (mature) is laid by God--"Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One." And, His instruction is aimed at our maturity. Every test that He brings to us is to show us where our faith lies and to urge us on to the fulfillment of His purpose for us: "You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect [that is, grow into complete maturity of godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity]. [Leviticus 19: 2,18]" (Matthew 5:48).
Love of neighbor and enemy is the sign of a mature saint. Sincere prayer offered for those who persecute and offend us is the act of a mature believer. (See Matthew 5: 43,44). The degree to which we have confidence in the love of God for us, will be the degree to which we will love our fellow man. To detest our brothers (and by inference sisters) is indicative of our immaturity. Because with lack of confidence in God's love for us, we will live in fear of punishment. That kind of fear produces and promotes jealousy, strife, envy, divisions and factions. Our standard for maturity is Jesus Christ and not any human standard that is easily swayed by a corrupt society. Think about it.
© S.M. Hudson, Hidden Treasure Ministries, December 2003. All rights reserved.
Categories: forgiveness
