(please) grow up!

recently i have been blown away by the lack of maturity i have seen in others and have been struggling to keep from just writing them off.  the truth is, i have seen some immaturity in my own life - and have come to the (challenging) conclusion that i just need to grow up.  sometimes it’s so easy to see immaturity in others, but we fail to identify it in our own lives.  it takes a big person to look in the mirror and say, “wow, i’m kinda immature…i really need to grow up.”  but this is exactly what we need to do!

“God wants us to grow up… like Christ in everything.”  ephesians 4:15 (msg)  ”we are not meant to remain as children.”  ephesians 4:14 (ph)  ”take on an entirely new way of life - a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces His character in you.”  ephesians 4:22-24 (msg)

how do we grow up?

1.  We grow by hearing, accepting, and obeying God’s word

“God’s gracious word can make you into what He wants you to be and give you everything you could possibly need.”  acts 20:32 (msg)

2.  We grow by learning to cooperate with the Holy Spirit

“as the Holy Spirit works within us, we become more and more like HIm and reflect His glory even more.”  2 corinthians 3:18 (nlt)

3.  We grow by having close relationships with Godly friends (and connecting with them on a regular basis)

“become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces.”  proverbs 13:20 (msg)

4.  We grow when we don’t give in to temptations

“run from anything that gives you evil thoughts… but stay close to anything that makes you want to do right.”  2 timothy 2:22 (lb)

5.  we grow by understanding the purpose of tests & trails

“we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.”  romans 8:28 (nlt)

maturing in Christ and becoming like Him is a long, slow process.   there are no short cuts or easy fixes to becoming more mature.  friedrich nietzsche said, “the essential thing in heaven and earth is that there should be a long obedience in the same direction.”  don’t be a shallow Christian whose life is marked by selfishness and apathy.  determine to not let excuses replace progress and take a step towards becoming more like Christ.

take some time and look at your life (in humility and honesty) and identify which one of the steps above you need to focus on today.  may God help you to live out His word, to listen to His Spirit, to connect with other believers, to say no to sin, and to learn to be cheerful and grateful when you go through tough times.