MATURE IS NOT JUST FOR OLD PEOPLE
Remember when you were old enough to go outside by yourself. Then you couldn't wait to go to school. The kids in the next grade seemed so big. Then you graduated and the Jr. High and High School seemed so large and those college folks were old. It seemed that you would never be over 30. You couldn't wait to get your driver's license. Then that next degree from university.
Where is the place where you finally arrive? When will you ever be mature?
In society, maturity seems unattainable and undefined, however you can recognize immaturity when you see it.
Maturity may not be desirable when the years go by. You want to retain fleeting youth, that everlasting 39th birthday and the secret that no one will ever know . . .
your real age.
Is becoming a Christian, going to church, fulfilling the roll as a giving unit in the church budget, all there is to this religious life. Is Christian maturity marked by having a high credit score, a nice car, and a smiling neighbor? Is there more?
Do you desire to be a mature Christian?
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. Phil. 3:12-16
Remember when you were old enough to go outside by yourself. Then you couldn't wait to go to school. The kids in the next grade seemed so big. Then you graduated and the Jr. High and High School seemed so large and those college folks were old. It seemed that you would never be over 30. You couldn't wait to get your driver's license. Then that next degree from university.
Where is the place where you finally arrive? When will you ever be mature?
In society, maturity seems unattainable and undefined, however you can recognize immaturity when you see it.
Maturity may not be desirable when the years go by. You want to retain fleeting youth, that everlasting 39th birthday and the secret that no one will ever know . . .
your real age.
Is becoming a Christian, going to church, fulfilling the roll as a giving unit in the church budget, all there is to this religious life. Is Christian maturity marked by having a high credit score, a nice car, and a smiling neighbor? Is there more?
Do you desire to be a mature Christian?
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. Phil. 3:12-16
Christian Maturity - Christlikeness is a direction not a place. "Pressing on" toward the goal. Growing in grace and maturing your new nature is the life that is prescribed for every "born again" believer.
Your new identity is "Christ in you the hope of glory." This is the root of motivation that moves the believer into situations of suffering which produces growth along with security and joy. This is Christian Maturity, your new identity is full of exciting motivation.
Maturity
IDENTITY MOTIVATED LIVING
Your new identity is "Christ in you the hope of glory." This is the root of motivation that moves the believer into situations of suffering which produces growth along with security and joy. This is Christian Maturity, your new identity is full of exciting motivation.
Maturity
IDENTITY MOTIVATED LIVING