1 Corinthians 13:11-13 "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
Since our Father wants us to mature in the faith, we should stop from time to time and examine our lives to see if we're making progress in this area. Physical growth is fairly easy to evaluate - all you need is a tape measure. But I've been asked on several occasions, "Pastor Donna, how can you tell if you're growing spiritually?" I thought I'd give it my best to reply. Let's begin by considering how children develop.
DESIRES: Have you noticed that our childhood toys no longer interest us? The maturing process changes our desires in the spiritual realm as well. When we're growing, the world's pleasures lose their appeal, while our hunger for God and His Word increases. We are eager to be with Him and share with others how He's working in our lives.
UNDERSTANDING: When we were young, our perception of the world was very limited. In the same way, we lack spiritual understanding when we're new believers. But, in time, we begin to see life from God's perspective. Trials and temptations become opportunities for growth, and service for the Lord becomes an honor instead of a burden.
SELFLESSNESS: The most obvious sign of a toddler's immaturity is his selfishness. He wants his way, and he wants it NOW! Hopefully that is no longer characteristic of us. A mature believer is submissive to the Lord, willing to wait, and more concerned about others than himself.
I think it is wise to check and see how we are doing in these areas of growth. Maybe it's time to let go of a few childish ways in order to grow into a mature believer. The greatest evidence of maturity is love. When the Lord and other people have first place in our hearts, it's then that we're most like Jesus.
Since our Father wants us to mature in the faith, we should stop from time to time and examine our lives to see if we're making progress in this area. Physical growth is fairly easy to evaluate - all you need is a tape measure. But I've been asked on several occasions, "Pastor Donna, how can you tell if you're growing spiritually?" I thought I'd give it my best to reply. Let's begin by considering how children develop.
DESIRES: Have you noticed that our childhood toys no longer interest us? The maturing process changes our desires in the spiritual realm as well. When we're growing, the world's pleasures lose their appeal, while our hunger for God and His Word increases. We are eager to be with Him and share with others how He's working in our lives.
UNDERSTANDING: When we were young, our perception of the world was very limited. In the same way, we lack spiritual understanding when we're new believers. But, in time, we begin to see life from God's perspective. Trials and temptations become opportunities for growth, and service for the Lord becomes an honor instead of a burden.
SELFLESSNESS: The most obvious sign of a toddler's immaturity is his selfishness. He wants his way, and he wants it NOW! Hopefully that is no longer characteristic of us. A mature believer is submissive to the Lord, willing to wait, and more concerned about others than himself.
I think it is wise to check and see how we are doing in these areas of growth. Maybe it's time to let go of a few childish ways in order to grow into a mature believer. The greatest evidence of maturity is love. When the Lord and other people have first place in our hearts, it's then that we're most like Jesus.
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