Grow Up!

1 Cor.13:¹¹ (TLB) “It’s like this: when I was a child I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does. But when I became a man my thoughts grew far beyond those of my childhood, and now I have put away the childish things.”

A lot of Christians want to remain infants and that is a problem. For some, as soon as they feel they are no longer infants, then it means something is wrong. God wants you to grow up. A spiritual infant for instance is mostly concerned about ‘me’. For a spiritual infant, it is not “me or Jesus?”, it is “me or me?” I believe God is sending us this Word in this season to help us mature and as you mature, you begin to wrestle with the question me or Jesus? You want to play a game but your Father wants you to worship Him–“Me or Jesus?” The presence of this sort of conflict is proof of growth so do not let it bother you.

John 21:¹⁵ (GW) “…Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than the other disciples do?” Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus told him, “Feed my lambs.” ¹⁶ Jesus asked him again, a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus told him, “Take care of my sheep.” ¹⁷ Jesus asked him a third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt sad because Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love me?” So, Peter said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus told him, “Feed my sheep.” This Scripture reference shows us that Peter’s season had changed.

When you are a child spiritually, your demonstration of love is based on devotion. When you are a spiritual teen, your demonstration of love is based on contribution. But when you mature spiritually, your demonstration of love to Jesus is multiplication [producing]. Note that it is cumulative; meaning when you mature into being a teen spiritually, you are not supposed to forget your devotion. You are supposed to add it to your contribution. When you move from being a teen to an adult spiritually, you are not supposed to forget your devotion and contribution. You are supposed to add them to your multiplication.

However, as a teen, your devotion will not be the benchmark of your love for God; it will be your contribution. When you become an adult spiritually, the three hours you spend praying is great but your multiplication, not devotion is what determines your love for God.

Prayer: Lord, I ask for grace to rightly discern the seasons in my life, in Jesus Name. Amen!