Do you equate spiritual maturity with age? It really has nothing to do with it. You could be in your 50’s and be no more spiritual than someone who is in their 20’s. Spiritual maturity is based on your relationship with the Lord.
I love the hard-hitting words found in the Message Bible: “In a word, what I’m saying is, grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you” (Matthew 5:48).
Have you ever uttered those words to someone? Grow up! I know I have, especially to my oldest child. But think about the context of this scripture.
In other words it is time to stop living our relationship with the Lord as if we are nothing more than babies, always needing coddling. It’s as if we are toddlers in the Lord, always wanting our own way. Or perhaps we are more like a teenager, just doing some really dumb stuff.
It’s time to grow up in Christ. It’s time to start living the way we know how. Too many Christians know the right way to act but they continue to wallow in the mud of childishness.
I especially love how this verse says we should live out our “God-created identity.” Are you the same as you were the day you got saved? One year ago? Ten years ago? We shouldn’t be the same. We should be growing and maturing in Christ.
What about the fact that we are to live generously and graciously? The more of Christ that is within us, the more able we can do this. When we live in His generosity and grace, when we really grasp that, it becomes much easier to pour out on others.
It’s time to grow up…grow up in the Lord.
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