[NOTE: ABOVE ADS (if any) ARE DISPLAYED BY ANGELFIRE, NOT ME.]

maturing

Sabbath, 10/1/05, ~7:30 AM EST USA
We should mature. This is the end result of the process of growing as a Christian. There are only 8 places, and they are only in the New Testament, where God mentions "mature". Here is the list.

  1. Luke 8:14
    The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.
Here is the passage which clearly states that we should mature. (NOTE: "mature" means to come to completion.)
  1. 1 Corinthians 2:6
    We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
Why is the wisdom only spoken among the mature? Are the growing brothers and sisters not ready for the Word? Or is it that they still need to grow in order to fully understand? (I do not know and do not want to imply anything by mentioning my questions - they are only a way for me to work out what it is I don't understand.)
  1. Ephesians 4:13
    until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
This strikes me as that we will only mature once Christ is revealed in the end...?
  1. Philippians 3:15
    All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.
However, in this passage the LORD tells us that we should be mature before the Lord returns.
  1. Colossians 4:12
    Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.
Perhaps this is the clue - that in maturity we can "...stand firm in all the will of God,...". I know as an immature Christian I fail to stand firm - many times. So I still need to mature since I do not stand firm - in all the will of God.
  1. Hebrews 5:14
    But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
"Solid food..." = the mature message of what it is to be a Christian.
"Mature..." = the finished, completed, Christian.
"Constant use..." and "trained themselves..." = putting on the whole armor of God!
  1. Hebrews 6:1
    Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,
(I just found this after posting the other 7 - found with a search for "mature". Then I did a search for "matur" thinking there might be some other words I missed and found this passage. All glory to God!) We are indeed to leave ('leave' as in put behind, but not put away. IOW, we are to move on to a deeper understanding of what it is to be a follower of Christ. Indeed, we are not to remain immature in the faith. We are indeed to grow in understanding, and obedience!. All glory to God!
  1. James 1:4
    Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
"Perseverance must finish its work..." = God's work is to build His children into the church He is building.
"Not lacking anything." = indeed. I believe this means we are to be completed in this world - ready for Salvation. (I am not sure about this. I would like to find more Biblical evidence for this.)

All glory to God!

Sabbath, 10/1/05, 8:31 AM EST USA
It just occured to me that maturing means:
1) realizing we have no strength. Do you not think that God can not do all for us? I can tell you a number of how much God can do for us... 100% - no less. Isn't God Sovereign? Isn't God the One True Living LORD God Almighty?
2) putting away the things of this world - I (we) shouldn't care what movie is coming out; I (we) shouldn't care what game I (we) are playing this weekend; I (we) shouldn't care about anything having to do with this world.

All glory to God!
[NOTE: BELOW ADS (if any) ARE DISPLAYED BY ANGELFIRE, NOT ME.]