Got
Maturity?
“Maturity
is always a return to reality about yourself. Mental and spiritual growth
requires feedback. As long as we won’t face the truth we remain in protracted
infancy.” So said the late Joseph Aldrich, former President of Multnomah Bible College and Seminary, Portland, Oregon.
We
need God’s feedback more than anyone else’s. He creates and knows our hearts.
He sees each spiritual and emotional deficit. He knows we need to make mental
and physical changes. If we’ll cry, “Help, Lord”, He’ll reveal error and enable
us to change. You can trust Him, His love is pure. God won’t misuse your
emotions or speak condemnation. He wills only best for us. Yielding to Father
is the gateway to wisdom, growth and peace.
Have
you noticed these ABC’s of virtue operating in prayerful men and women? They
are:
·
Accountable to Truth
In
searching for answers to life’s problems prudent people discover “…Christ
Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians
2:2,3 Diligent seekers have
learned that Christ is the Wisdom of God and He tells His
secrets to the upright! God whispers private counsel into the ears of those who
hear, receive, love and obey His Word. Proverbs 3:32 We mature quickly by obeying His precepts
instantly, totally and joyfully.
·
Balanced in Behavior
One
of the first tests truth seekers face is whether we’ll die to self and
reputation. Only those dead to self are able to live for God and others. If I’m
always speaking to please others, God gets pushed further and further out of my
life. “…so we speak not to please men but to please God, Who tests our
hearts….” 1 Thessalonians 2:4 When I
seek God’s glory instead of mine, then He helps me know “…when and what to
do.” Ecclesiastes 8:5
·
Consistent Covenant Keepers
We
stay in fellowship with God by repenting of sin. We aren’t perfect, but we can
be blameless because Christ forgives us. “If you will turn (repent) and give
heed to my reproof, behold, I (Wisdom) will pour out my spirit upon you, I will
make my words known to you.” Proverbs 1:23
Humble men mature. Righteous men become wise men.
Jeremiah,
the prophet, warns we shouldn’t boast in wisdom, strength or riches, but in
knowing and understanding the Lord. (See Jeremiah 9:23,24) Enlightened by Christ, something wonderful
happens. We begin to glow and shine. We become human sparklers for Him! Doubt
that? Daniel says: “And the teachers and those who are wise shall shine like
the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness (to
uprightness and right standing with God) shall give forth light like the stars
forever and ever.” Daniel 12:4
Want
to shine for Jesus? I do.
Our
Prayer: Help, Lord, we want maturity. Take our lives and lead us into the deep
and wonderful truths of Your Person and Your Word. Enlighten us, Father, we
want to shine in our dark world for Your glory. Thank You. Amen.
Petey Prater writes and speaks from Beaverton, Oregon. peteyprater@yahoo.com