maturity

The Freedom Measure: Maturity – VOTD.07.04.16

One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. Romans 14:2

In Romans 14 Paul turns the tables on those who treat duty, disciplines and deprivation as a sign of Christian maturity. In fact, he shows this sort of thing to be a sign of weakness. This former Pharisee, who had once celebrated self-denial, had come to understand that Christian maturity leads to freedom and is lived out in freedom.

Many Christians live in a kind of slavery despite Jesus’ promise that we “are extremely free” because He has set us free (Jn 8:36). They remain slaves to other masters. Unhealthy commitments and relationships (even within our churches); unhealthy attitudes (festering resentment, self-pity over past hurts and disappointments, bitterness); other addictions, affluences, etc.

They reward themselves and each other on the level of self-righteousness they have attained rather than walking in the Holy Spirit’s liberty; “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Cor 3:17) (more…)

Continue ReadingThe Freedom Measure: Maturity – VOTD.07.04.16

The ‘Real-Deal’ Measure: Maturity – VOTD.06.27.16

All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things.  Philippians 3:15

In today’s verse, Paul is summarizing his previous statements and setting the stage for what he’s about to say…and it’s all about maturity. The entire context is hard to describe in a short meditation. You’ll have to read the chapter for yourself.  But I want to emphasize one thing that keeps reappearing in this passage in various forms: Realness.

Mature Christians are real. They aren’t playing the game. They’re genuinely, 24/7 into their relationship with Jesus.

“Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven.” (vv. 19,20)

Many Christians are into fake. They’re far too busy obsessing over fake people, winning fake championships, and conquering fake territory, to be intimate with a very real Jesus and find themselves in Him. Having shunned what is real, their minds are set on earthly things…silly things…irrelevant things. (more…)

Continue ReadingThe ‘Real-Deal’ Measure: Maturity – VOTD.06.27.16

VOTD.06.27.16 The Commonplace Measure: Maturity

For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  Philippians 4:11,12

Most growing Christians do pretty well when things are progressing along—or even when things are falling apart. During the wonderful times we’re overwhelmed with God’s goodness; in the crisis we cry out to Him, expecting His rescue. It’s often the “in-between” that challenges us to keep our eyes on Jesus.

Paul probably knew plenty of Christians who were devoted when he was having meetings in their town. But many of his letters are addressed to these very Christians, urging them to not fall into stagnation after he’d left. Similarly, his writings often consider the trials Christians were facing. (more…)

Continue ReadingVOTD.06.27.16 The Commonplace Measure: Maturity

The Recognition Measure: Maturity – VOTD.06.20.16

Many even among the leaders believed in him (Jesus). But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from God. John 12:42,43

The Bible consistently presents God to us as a Father. And I don’t know any father who doesn’t like seeing his children recognized for their achievements or honored in their triumphs. I suspect God is the same way. But the praise and recognition of others is easily intoxicating. Often (usually?) it is delightful to our ears, because we like being recognized favorably so much that negative opinions others have of us or our opinions irk us—they keep us awake at night. As a result, we often make choices that are driven by the approval of people more than the approval of God (John 12:43).

When talented or popular people look in the mirror, they’re tempted to see someone who has arrived because other people treat them as if they’re someone special. But in the ‘mirror’ of the Bible we see that we all have fallen short of glory—the kind of glory that matters (Rom 3:23). (more…)

Continue ReadingThe Recognition Measure: Maturity – VOTD.06.20.16

The Respect Measure: Maturity – VOTD.06.14.16

Be devoted to one another in love. Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10

Spiritual maturity is not the display of our gift, but the way we love. You don’t have to look hard to find people who are profoundly gifted but lack love; even common curtesy seems to elude them. Maturity isn’t about impressive positions in ministry/ politics/ business or power or influence or any of those things that people look up to.

Respect is simply how we treat the people around us—figuring out what makes them feel valued or cared for and treating them that way. Which brings us to relationships. (more…)

Continue ReadingThe Respect Measure: Maturity – VOTD.06.14.16

VOTD.06.13.16 The Stability Measure: Maturity

Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters. He said, “Hurry and get out of this place, because the Lord is about to destroy the city!” But his sons-in-law thought he was joking.  Genesis 19:14

We’ve been talking about mileposts on the journey of Christian maturity. Milestones like childlike-ness, the highs and lows of life don’t impact the quality of our walk with God, faith, self respect, worship… I need to point out that all these attributes are Christian-character traits. They are things that we as Christians ought to live out. But they aren’t a checklist. They aren’t things that we do to be mature Christians. Just the other way around: they are life-attributes of mature Christians. The difference? One flows out of our efforts, the other flows out of our character. These often take some time to establish. (more…)

Continue ReadingVOTD.06.13.16 The Stability Measure: Maturity

VOTD.06.07.16 The Peace Measure: Maturity

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.  John 14:27
Come to me all you who are heavy-laden and I will give you rest.  Matthew 11:28

Our next milepost on the journey of Christian maturity: Rest. Peace. Simply put, stress is a character trait of this world and its system. God gives peace, instead.

We’ve all been there. Too much on our plates and feeling overwhelmed. Or we face impossible problems, setbacks, disappointments, discouragements… Add to that, we’re exhausted. Jesus calls this “Weary and heavy-laden”.

How does the world respond to stress? Well, there’s always TV (books, surfing the web and other distractions). Then there’s endurance—putting our shoulder to the tasks and bulldozing through (that’s me). Some get into pumping ourselves up with positive self-talk. Others find something in the fridge. And don’t forget pity-parties and complaining. (more…)

Continue ReadingVOTD.06.07.16 The Peace Measure: Maturity

VOTD 06.06.16 The Worship Measure: Maturity

I saw the Lord, high and exalted… And I cried, “Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”  Isaiah 6:1,5

Last time we saw that our faith in Jesus is the measure of our significance and value and respect, because faith means looking away from ourselves to Jesus and embracing Him as the personification of all that is significant, valued and worthy of honor and respect.

And when that happens, we become Jesus-worshipers.

Focusing on Jesus is all it takes to transform you and me into passionate worshipers. (more…)

Continue ReadingVOTD 06.06.16 The Worship Measure: Maturity

VOTD 05.24.16 Childlikeness: Maturity

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.  Matthew 18:1-5

Mature Christians have a childlike nature. Let’s get a few things straight from the beginning; Being childlike doesn’t mean we’re immature…And being mature doesn’t mean we accept the joyless, bored life that is often associated with adulthood. (more…)

Continue ReadingVOTD 05.24.16 Childlikeness: Maturity

VOTD 05.23.16 Mountaintops & Valleys: Maturity

The man of God came up and told the king of Israel, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Because the Arameans think the Lord is a god of the hills and not a god of the valleys, I will deliver this vast army into your hands, and you will know that I am the Lord.’” 1 Kings 20:28

The Arameans thought they had been defeated because Israel’s God was the God of the mountains, which is where they had been fighting. So they devised to fight Israel in the valleys, where Israel’s God was powerless (they thought). But the God of the mountain is still God in the valley (1Kings 20:23-28). (more…)

Continue ReadingVOTD 05.23.16 Mountaintops & Valleys: Maturity