I’ve noticed something in my life and the life of the churches I’ve been a part of. There is so little spiritual maturity demonstrated by people who have claimed to be Christians for years and sometimes their whole life. Even though they attend church every week. Many are even leaders in their respective churches and yet spiritual maturity is severely lacking. Why?
And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. (Luke 8:14 ESV)
I believe that this verse has at least part of the answer. Look especially at the last part of that verse. “…and their fruit does not mature.” Why are they not maturing spiritually? Because the cares of this world are choking out the spiritual life. The cares of the world are more important to them than doing God’s will. The cares, anxieties and fears that naturally come up on all human beings has paralyzed them and caused them to draw back from God’s service. It has caused them to doubt God’s being able to take care of them…
Do you want to be mature?
Spiritual maturity comes when we are ready to fully place ourselves in the hands of God no matter the consequences. When doing the work of God is more important to us than pleasing ourselves. When supporting the work of God with our talents, our sweat, our money is more important to us than being comfortable, going on vacations, being seen as cool or affluent, or important.
A spiritually mature person puts other people’s needs ahead of their own. Like a mother who unselfishly takes care of her demanding newborn who is waking her up every two hours, a spiritually mature person is able to help the immature who are demanding and draining because they themselves get their strength and support from God himself. They don’t need to get their fulfillment from others, they get their sense of value and self worth directly from God.
Do you want to be mature? Learn to let go of the cares, troubles and pleasures of this world and grab on to Jesus and service for His glory.