THE QUESTION OF MATURITY

“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.” (1 Corinthians 13:11, NIV)

Our text suggests the obvious, which is that there is a certain level of maturity expected at each stage we are in life. An adult manifesting childish things, spiritually, emotionally or otherwise raises eyebrows, and makes evident a lack of growth for it is expected that adults put away childish things.

Growth and maturity is an on-going process of life involving development in your talking, thinking, and reasoning. A wise person recognizes that there is room for improvement in them and invests in the growth areas in other to attain maturity in his or her life. It takes discipline to do what is requisite for our self-development. We observe apostle Paul's self-discipline when says, "I put childish things behind me". Not only is the presence of a desire to change implied in those words, but also the willingness & determination to pursue and attain the goal of moving away from such things that might characterize him as immature and childish.

The Christian's goal for spiritual maturity as apostle Paul defined it is, “attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13, NIV). Though this perfect state is not fully attainable until Christ's second coming, yet it remains the mark toward which believers ought to be pressing as they grow in faith and increase in the knowledge of Christ. So, the keyword is "progress" not "perfection": The question of maturity is, "Are you becoming a progressively better you?" and not "Are you perfect?" No one is perfect, but you can always get better and better!

Remember, the biggest room in a house is the room for improvement. Invest time and energy in becoming a better man or woman, husband or wife, and so on. There is always room for improvement in you and it will not happen by chance. Be intentional about improving yourself!

Grace to you!

Pastor Victor C Ubani