I don’t recall the exact year, but it was like a switch went off. One day I was satisfied with my model cars, toy guns and my pretend secret lair where my cardboard computer allowed me to take over the world. The next day, I realized…”I’m older now and these things no longer entertain me or serve the purpose of amusement that they once did.” I could still be nostalgic about them, but it was time to move on. I don’t think this was unique to my experience; rather, I recall a similar transition with both of my sons. Even with Jodi and myself as a couple after a few years of marriage, we were no longer satisfied with the status quo and decided to move on. Everyone is created to “grow up.”
That makes sense to us as we observe life…but do we see our spiritual development the same way? If a 30 year old man still played on the floor with matchbox cars or had a pretend “bat cave” with cardboard super-computer in his closet…we’d think something was a little off; however, we accept, unchallenged, that it is ok to be stunted in our growth spiritually…never progressing from the elementary principles to the life-altering responsibilities and corresponding blessings of being a disciple.
The Apostle Paul said, “When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.” (1 Corinthians 13:11).
He admonished the same people (the church) to grow up…stating that their immaturity had actually prevented him from taking them to the depths of truth in Christ.
“And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as men of flesh, as infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking as mere men?” (1 Corinthians 3:1-3).
So we see in the passage that some responsibility for maturing in the faith rested on the believers. They could not receive because they were still fleshly. We take this to mean that they were controlled more by self-interest and satisfaction than by pursuit of sanctification. They did not desire to grow and become like Christ; rather, they sought a measure of comfort in their contemporary existence. They wanted to be happy, comfortable and catered to.
How could the Apostle truly know their heart? He indicates in the passage above and expounds on it in the following verses. He said they were controlled by the flesh…as manifested in their prideful boasting and bickering over which teacher they most closely aligned with. In other words, their actions gave them away. Jesus gave a similar diagnostic model when he said that you could read a man’s heart by the words that came out of his mouth (Matthew 15:18-19).
So the solution to immaturity is twofold according to the Scriptures: The Holy Spirit is working to conform us, and we are seeking to be conformed/perfected in the faith. God has already laid His cards on the table: He is seeking to shape us into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). That should excite us! It should drive us to strive toward it with great effort!
We are not, as disciples wholly passive in this process. In one sense the Holy Spirit is drawing us to progress, shaping, convicting, convincing, and correcting us toward maturity. In another sense, we are to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. We are to progress according to our desire to mature.
Granted, many people would say, “I want to be mature.” No doubt. I want to have 5% body fat and be able to benchpress a Toyota pickup. But if I use my gym time to make a second run at the buffet, you’d tell me that my desire is misplaced.
How?
- Daily Disciplines. Set a system of actions that correspond to your beliefs and goals. Read, Think/meditate, Pray, Write, etc.
- Accountability. Ge tinto a group that is small enough to know you well and bold enough to challenge you when you need (but don’t necessarily want) it. Let them encourage you.
- Community. This is the communal responsibility of mutual dependency. It is you needing others and being the person that others need.
- Service and responsibility. Beyond being, this is the uncomfortable place of pouring out yourself toward others and for Him. Jesus saved us to serve…to fulfill the works He created for us (Eph 2:10). That’s why He saved us! (Eph 2:8-9).
Hold up pastor! I know a lot of people who say they’re Christians that don’t do any of that stuff. Friend, and I mean that…friend: That is not possible. You can’t love Jesus and become what he desires and designed without these four things. No way around it. Maturity is the objective and these four things are part of the way. So…dear friend…do you want to rot your teeth on a baby bottle of milk…are are you ready for the juicy Ribeye of faithful living…
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