- Joined
- Feb 9, 2004
- Messages
- 17,077
Immature Forever?[/SIZE]
Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.
1 Corinthians 14:20
Recommended Reading
Luke 8:14-15
"You're only young once," quipped Australian writer Germaine Greer, "but you can be immature forever." She's sadly right. It's one thing for a child to act immaturely; we expect that. But for immaturity to persist into adulthood is distressing. Many of our problems are caused by immaturity -- immature husbands, immature wives, immature church members, immature actions.
The word "maturity" means "fully grown, developed, or completed." The greatest picture of maturity in the Bible is our Lord Jesus, who "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men." In other words, He matured mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially.
"Him we proclaim," said Paul, "warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ" (Colossians 1:28 ESV). As we feed on the Bible, confess our sins, learn from our mistakes, and grow in God's wisdom, we can mature. We don't have to stay immature forever.
Spiritual maturity cannot come in a day. We cannot expect it. It takes growth, until the whole beauty of the image of Christ is formed in (us).
Andrew Murray
Read-thru-the-Bible
Isaiah 48:1 -- 51:23
Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.
1 Corinthians 14:20
Recommended Reading
Luke 8:14-15
"You're only young once," quipped Australian writer Germaine Greer, "but you can be immature forever." She's sadly right. It's one thing for a child to act immaturely; we expect that. But for immaturity to persist into adulthood is distressing. Many of our problems are caused by immaturity -- immature husbands, immature wives, immature church members, immature actions.
The word "maturity" means "fully grown, developed, or completed." The greatest picture of maturity in the Bible is our Lord Jesus, who "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men." In other words, He matured mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially.
"Him we proclaim," said Paul, "warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ" (Colossians 1:28 ESV). As we feed on the Bible, confess our sins, learn from our mistakes, and grow in God's wisdom, we can mature. We don't have to stay immature forever.
Spiritual maturity cannot come in a day. We cannot expect it. It takes growth, until the whole beauty of the image of Christ is formed in (us).
Andrew Murray
Read-thru-the-Bible
Isaiah 48:1 -- 51:23