Growing Up

Toddlers are often more interested in the wrapping paper a gift comes in than in the gift itself: that’s normal, and pretty cute! But if an adult ignored their present in favour of the large box it came in, we might be worried about them. Paul says that we are often, spiritually speaking, like adults playing in cardboard boxes.

Part of Paul’s ministry was helping people grow in spiritual maturity. Of course that doesn’t happen overnight; Paul spent eighteen months teaching and helping the Corinthians, but didn’t see the growth he expected. They didn’t see the need to give up their “childish ways”, things like ranking preachers, preferring the more impressive spiritual gifts and ignoring blatant sin in their church. They didn’t realise how these things revealed their immaturity and lack of discernment.

The Corinthians also had the tendency to think that they could do whatever they wanted as long as it was “lawful” (1 Corinthians 6:12). But Paul saw this attitude as belonging to immature Christians, as it doesn’t ask the really important question: is this for the glory of the Lord? Sinclair writes, “Earlier [Paul] had suggested ways in which they could tell whether that was true or not: Will this really help advance our Christian life (6:12)? Will this have a tendency to enslave me (6:12)? Will this help me to become a mature believer (10:23)? Will this be a real help to my fellow Christians (10:24)? These are the kinds of questions that we ought to ask as we decide where to spend our time, how to use our money, and what our plans are for the year ahead.”

Have you ever thought about the fact that Jesus matured both physically and spiritually through his life? As he grew from a boy into a man, he increased in discernment and in his Father’s favour. If we haven’t thought about this before, it suggests we might see Jesus as more of an idea than a real person. Jesus grew in physical stature, in experience and obedience throughout his life, until he faced the final test: “[obedience] to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). If our Master kept on growing, what does that say about us, his servants? We shouldn’t settle for speaking, thinking and reasoning like children, but should give up being childish, and focus on living for the glory of God.

Today, think about ways in which your Christian growth might be “stunted”; how might you apply the questions above to your life choices? How will you ask God to grow you? Praise God for how he has already grown you in maturity through your Christian life, and ask for his help to make godly and helpful choices.

Love Came Down at Christmas by Sinclair B. Ferguson (published by The Good Book Company) available to buy at Eden Christian Bookstore or Amazon.