Wow! This word can really get to you when you experience it firsthand. The definitions for maturity include: the state of being fully grown or developed; the condition of being ripe, fully aged, or fully grown, especially mentally or emotionally; time or readiness for repayment.
It is time to grow up in our most holy faith. And . . . it is a continual process.
To discuss maturity in light of Christianity can be a challenging task. There are many approaches to assessing the stages of maturity. Scripture addresses it in the book of Hebrews chapter 5:
“There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. 12 You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. 13 For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. “
Those may seem to be harsh words but an apparent difficulty in fulfillment of the Christian life. The hard part of maturity is to move forward and be progressive without “backsliding.” Traditions and rituals can become like acid rain upon a productive life. The productive fruit is damaged at varying points.
Understanding our fellow man is crucial to maturity. We must weigh environment and influences and live the wholesome (holy) life before them as a witness. We need not compromise but exhibit grace and mercy.
If God is love, then we also must exhibit His characteristic. Allow the truth to set free, not antics of religiosity. It becomes a matter of transformation from the inside out.
Too many have literally been in the way too long. It is time to move over and let the Spirit of the Lord do the work. We are powerless to give eternal life. Eternal life comes only through the Son whose life was offered in exchange for redemption of the lost.
The world we live in is fast paced and taxing to the spirit of man. Humanity needs the calming that comes through a right relationship. We are promised a peace that passes all understanding. This would be the confidence we have in the Provider of all things, our source.
We strive to perfection, i.e., maturity with a focus on God. He has provided an instruction guide on how to reach those goals. This book is the Bible. This book must be taken in its entirety, not by selective bits and pieces that fit our personal theology. It is a two edged sword and will defend and offend.
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