Are We Spiritually Mature?
Good Morning Friends,
Today as I consider the four rescue parrots on our porch and two conches from the Keys who evacuated in advance of Hurricane Irma to our home, I have chosen to write about the lectionary text and it is about growing up in Christ and embracing a new identity that is not only reformed but transformed. So today we look at the connection of being a disciple of Christ and following the wise ways of growing in our faith of God in purposeful relationships with others. We look at our own lives and ask, Are We Spiritually Mature?
Scripture: For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:9-14 (NRSV)
Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.
Luke 5:1-11 (NRSV)
Message: We should examine our lives to see if we are exhibiting the characteristics of a people pleasing God. This is the goal of the Christian life. But moreover, it is the goal to see if our spiritual labors are producing God-pleasing characteristics in the lives of others. That is what Paul is praying for in the lives of the Colossians. Perhaps the first thing we are to realize is that we will be known by our fruit of the Spirit and by this, I mean love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. This is very important when having house guests. But its relevance extends beyond acts of hospitality. You see, true disciples of Christ bear fruit that glorifies God. And this means picking up our crosses, abiding in Christ and the Word and as a priority living for Jesus sharing the love we have received. So, evaluate your life. Are you growing in the unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and becoming mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ? Are you being strengthened in a way that improves the lives of others. Discipleship is more than teaching truths about the Bible. It is being involved in people’s lives. The Lord gives us this blueprint, in the form of nudges to help us to grow, and to help others grow in spiritual maturity. He commands us to make disciples, repeating the process that he first began in the lives of his own disciples. Friends, the plan for our salvation and growth is found in the example of Jesus.
Pray we open our homes and lives to others. Pray we discover a ministry that produces spiritual growth not just in ourselves but overflows in the lives of others. Pray we only boast of the power of Christ in us. Pray we give thanks to God in a way that produces a harvest of thankfulness. Pray we develop the type of spiritual maturity that occurs only by discerning God’s will for us to act in good faith and good will with a goal of a purpose that glorifies God. Pray we apply the truths that we learn into acts of obedience in our lives. Pray we share in the inheritance of the saints. Pray we receive the blessing of a changed life. Pray we grow mature spiritually as we follow the way of Jesus.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 