Just Grow Up!

Leonard Ravenhill

Leonard Ravenhill tells about a group of tourists visiting a picturesque village who walked by an old man sitting beside a fence. In a rather patronizing way, one tourist asked, "Were any great men born in this village?"

The old man replied, "Nope, only babies."

A frothy question brought a profound answer. There are no instant heroes--whether in this world or in the kingdom of God. Growth takes time, and as I Timothy 3:6 and 5:22 point out, even spiritual leadership must be earned.

Amy Carmichael once said, “Sometimes when we read the words of those who have been more than conquerors, we feel almost despondent. I feel that I shall never be like that. But they won through step by step by little bits of wills little denials of self little inward victories by faithfulness in very little things. They became what thy are. No one sees these little hidden steps. They only see the accomplishment, but even so, those small steps were taken. There is no sudden triumph no spiritual maturity. That is the work of the moment.

 The word “walk” is used 7 times in the book of Ephesians.
This is a strong indication that spiritual maturity is a walk, a journey and a calling.

“Only the Holy Spirit, working through the Word, has the power to bring us to maturity in Christ. “Spiritual maturity is simply concentrating and focusing on the person of God until we are caught up in His majesty and His glory.…– John MacArthur

Eph. 4:1-16 tells us that growing up is a high calling. We call this growing up maturity.  What is maturity? J. A. Wood said in his book, Purity and Maturity "What is produced by growth is of necessity, gradual, what is by faith and the Holy Ghost is of necessity instantaneous. God never accomplished that by cleansing power which is to be secured by growth in grace. On the other hand, growth in grace cannot effect that which is the work of the creating, cleansing energy of the Almighty Spirit. The one is a supernatural, instantaneous work; the other a gradual, natural work….No one is BORN INTO MATURITY, and no one GROWS INTO PURITY.    

Spiritual maturity isn’t measured by how high you jump in church, but how straight you walk in obedience.

A mature Christian has developed spiritual perception. They are able to connect present choices with future consequences.

 Clint Archer pastor of Hilcrest Baptist Church and author of the blog “Criplegate” gives these five signs of Spiritual Maturity

1. An appetite for meat Heb 5:11 (An infant’s meal needs to go through a blender for the first few months of his or her life. When a normal 21 year old still asks mommy to spoon feed him mashed potatoes, it’s creepy and dysfunctional.
2. An Imperviousness to personal offence Phil 1:15
3.  A Conscience informed by Scripture, not opinions
4. A Sense of humble surprise when used by God in Ministry
5. Tendency to give credit for Spiritual Growth to God, not people.

While it is a high calling it is also a lowly calling. We are called to be humble loving Christians. We are called to a unity of the Body of Christ. Part of growing up will include these four graces of unity found in Col 3:12;

1. Lowliness - The opposite of pride, "A thankful sense of dependence upon and a humble recognition of the worth and value of other people." Beacon Bible Expositions
2. Meekness - More than modesty and knowing one's limitations one theologian worded it, "that unresisting, uncomplaining disposition of mind, which enables one to bear without irritation or resentment the faults and injuries of others.
3. Longsuffering - The enduring unweariable spirit.
4. Forbearing in Love - a twin to longsuffering. Forbearing in love is a patience that loves and respects despite another's faults and weaknesses.