S66P7 – The Christ-like mind: growing in maturity
1 Cor. 13:11
When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.
When I was a little boy, I hated going to bed. It did not matter what the next day had in store. Whether it was a Sunday evening and the beginning of a new school week, or whether it was a Friday night and the beginning of a new weekend, my heart sank every time the day had to end. After four decades on this Earth, that has not changed. There is something about the passage of time that eats away at me. Although the dawn can be beautiful in that it is the beginning of a new day with surprises in store, it also means that another day has passed never to return again. I have yet to grow out of this phase, but the hope is that, with maturity, my perspective will change.
The kingdom of God is ever advancing. In this life and with these minds, we cannot possibly learn and know everything about that kingdom. Regardless of how far we have come in our faith, wisdom, and knowledge, there is infinitely more to absorb. This growth process is spiritual maturity. The believer with the mind of Christ seeks always to know more and more of God’s truths. That is a person not satisfied with stopping growth now and riding out the rest of this life. Complacency is the end of spiritual growth and actually makes us regress; we cannot stand still in the Spirit. Either we are moving closer to God or further away from him. Those who try to stay spiritual children without advancing simply end up back where they began.
The Church cannot grow to maturity unless her members first mature. This is an individual effort that cannot be distinguished from the group result it brings. We know that the groom cannot return until his bride has made herself ready [Rev 19:7]. Like a natural bride, we should be excited at the prospect of preparing ourselves for our wedding day. We do not want to be the bridesmaid who continues to wait for her turn but never makes it to the altar. Our maturity individually and corporately will not happen on its own, so we must get to work and prepare for our groom. Father, give us not only the tools but also the desire to grow spiritually continually and keep advancing with your kingdom.