You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. 13 For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. 14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong. {Heb 5:12-14, NLT}
What does a spiritually mature Christian versus spiritually immature Christian look like? Spiritually immature Christians are selfish, self-centered, complainers, impatient and irresponsible. While a spiritually mature Christian is one who is motivated to seek God; they know and understand where the source of their joy comes from. They have changed their mindset and priorities from pleasing self to pleasing God by obeying Him. Maturity means that in the beholders eyes, the person’s actions, decisions and lifestyle are in line with someone who has reached a desired placed or development. On the other hand, immaturity shows that a person is behind where they should be and their actions are inconsistent with that of someone who is fully developed.
Although we live in this world, it doesn’t mean we have to do what it does or think the way they think. We don’t have to prove to society that we fit in because we are not supposed to be fitting in. Our thoughts should be different. We should be the “Salt and Light” of the world. We should be adding flavor and emitting rays of light for the world to see us as we follow Christ. There are so many non-Christians and new believers who don’t take Christians seriously because many Christians have conformed to the world. We are just like them. We act and think just like them. The world does not see any difference. They see no reason to change and no reason to grow. Many believe that staying as they are is okay because they don’t want to be like the Christians they see and know. They believe more in being just “good” rather than being “godly.” {And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Rom 12:2, NKJV}
If Christians are being judgmental, unloving and unforgiving, that doesn’t seem any different than someone who is not a believer. We must in our hearts learn to forgive, love unconditionally and not judge others because we are commanded by Our Father to love one another. {A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. Jn 13:34-35, NKJV}
When we show unconditional love to others, we are showing Christ-like characteristics. If someone is different from us and we show love rather than judging them, we are showing Christ-like characteristics. When we embrace and include others and not leave them out, we are showing Christ-like characteristics. When we forgive and strive for peace, we are showing Christ-like characteristics. He wants us to be like Him!! {Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. Eph 5:1-2, NKJV}
As Christians, we have a responsibility and we have a purpose to fulfill in this life. It is important that we spend time with God and get to know who He is. If we aren’t spending time with Him, we end up making our own plans and doing things “our” own way. I personally know that doing things my own way is not the way to go. When we do our own thing and leave God out, we make bad decisions and have to live with regrets. Therefore, it is important for us to know what our purpose and our calling is in life so that we may live to give God all the glory! We must continue to grow into our purpose.
There are some Christians who read the Word, they attend Church services and Bible Study. They know the Word backwards and forwards and may have been in church all of their life. However, as we read and learn more about the Word, we must also be doers of the Word. We cannot grow just by getting the “theory” of it all. We must experience it by actually doing what it says. {But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. Jas 1:22, NKJV}
Some of us have matured, but we are not at our full potential to let God use us in the capacity that He wants to use us. We are limiting Him because of our insecurities, pride, fears or whatever it is that is holding us back. I am learning to face my fears so that I can grow and be able to be and do what God has called me to be. I have a purpose to fulfill. If I were to continue in my fears, I would never move forward. I would not grow. That is not what God would want for me.
We may have been born in sin and we may have selfish ways, be prideful and face many other issues. Deciding to grow and mature is a choice. However, I challenge each Christian to step out of the box and do the thing(s) that you resist doing in an attempt to get past your fear, insecurity, or whatever it is that keeps you from growing in a particular area of your life. Just work on it one day at a time. Growing doesn’t happen overnight, but it is a constant and daily process that we must go through. What is the thing that is preventing you from growing and going to the next level that God has for you?
Since elementary school, Crystal has always had an interest in the computer field until 2009 when God guided and redirected her towards ministry. During this time, she began to send encouraging and inspirational text messages to about 20 family and friends. The list grew, and in 2010 these messages were sent by email. Currently, these inspirational messages are emailed to over 200 people and are being seen by over 1700 members in her inspirational Facebook group titled “Inspired Inspirations by CrisB.” In 2013, Crystal received a Masters in Biblical Studies from Calvary Christian College in Waldorf, Maryland. Crystal has a deep thirst for knowledge and loves to share what she learns. She also admires spiritual growth in others as well. Crystal is a member of High Calling Ministries located in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.
