Matured in Love

“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ.” -Ephesians 4:15 NIV

What does it mean to be mature in Christ?  The Bible says Jesus is coming back for a “spotless” bride.  (Eph 5:27) But, what does that mean? 

According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, maturity is the quality or state of being mature, full development.(1) When we are mature, we are considered to be “grown-up”.  Also, when we are mature, we can reproduce ourselves, meaning, we can be a discipler and care giver of people younger in faith.

Just as we “grow up” in our natural development, we “grow up” in our spiritual development too.  The Bible says that the mature can distinguish good from evil. (Heb 5:14) When we mature, the fruits of the Spirit are evident in our lives.  (Galatians 5:22-23)  These fruits include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control.  Conversely, when we do not mature, we fall into our old fleshly behavior.  “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.” –Matthew 15:19

The problem with our human nature, our flesh, is that we want to stay comfortable- we don’t want to change and grow.  “The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.” -Luke 8:14  Things can happen to us in our early years that can cripple our emotional development, too.  Family is the place where good or poor habits are shaped and formed.  We may not know if a habit is good or bad until we grow up to be on our own. Then, as we mature we realize that perhaps that way wasn’t the best way to handle things.

But, as Jesus was, we are called to a high standard of maturity so that Christ’s life in us may be revealed.  “Then, having arrived at the full stature of his maturity and having been announced by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who believingly obey him.”-Hebrews 5:7

Are you walking toward maturity in Christ today?

Overcoming Fear

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." -1 John 4:18

Have you ever experienced 'perfect love'? Have you ever been in a church service or witnessed a sunrise where you felt completely saturated by God's love? I hope you have. We can do amazing things through the power of His love.

We live in a world filled with fear, doubt, and uncertainty.  If we live in fear, life becomes a game of avoiding the next mouse trap, versus faithfully taking hold of the opportunities God has for us. God wants us to live full, abundant, faith-filled lives. (John 10:10) Does this type of life describe you right now?

If we've ever been burned, it can be hard to take risks. If our parents weren't there for us when we were growing up, we naturally assume that God is that way. If love is absent, fear manifests. If light is absent, darkness is there instead.  Fears of the economy, money, politics, and health can have us ever more concerned with the cares of this world, versus focusing on the One who can bring the answer. 

But, imagine if we could live in those mountaintop moments all the time- moments where we really feel God's love, so we can take hold of all that He has for us. Well, we can!  God invites us to live in His presence, all the time. As His earthly temples, we are His dwelling place. (1 Cor 6:19) Often we just need to remind ourselves, and hang out with God - in worship, in prayer, in fellowship with others - so that in our fellowship with His Spirit can be made manifest in our lives - all the time.

Do you live in fear? If so, ask Him to help you. He can remove those barriers between us and Him through worship, prayer, repentance, and the power of His word.

"Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever." -Psalm 136:2