As I grow in the understanding of how great the richer are that are giving to us at "NO COST" and that nothing needs to be done. (I do like to say's thanks Lord.) There a old saying to live by here THERE ARE NO HAVE TO'S IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD ONLY WANT TO'S.lol! She is a riot, she tickles me I must say
You are right though. We are trying to measure spiritual maturity with our own measuring stick and not God's..Comparing ourselves to another, at least I did I must admit. You are correct is all I can say. I think there are different levels of glory in God, but the truth is it still goes back to Christ and our righteousness and good works are as filthy rags compared to him...
good post!Since the things of the Spirit are usually hidden from view to the natural eye, it is difficult to measure.
If you could see my root system you might know, but, it is hidden from your eyes.
What is left then?
Fruit is a good measure but fruit comes and goes in its season.
Catch me on a bad day you might think me the devil. On a good day a patron saint.
(I am neither)
So, if fruit is to be the measure you use than you are going to have to watch me season after season to know.
I watch people. I know folks who know scripture better than me. I know they sit in a more honored seat then me and have a larger following.
In some circles this passes for maturity.
Yet, I watch, and I see that they spend more time tearing down than they do building. Their own words and writing define their maturity (or lack of it)
It is like the difference between a lemon tree and an orange tree. They both have sweet flowers and bright fruit, but one of them is sour and in the end that is how they are seen.
Am I mature then?
Have you watched me through the seasons?
What does the fruit say?
In any event, wherever I am I need to mature more.
(as do we all)
To answer the OP then:
The mature believer knows God and sees himself in the light of His glory. (No other light will do)
John O.
Another thread for measuring ourselves.
Good post! I am just saying there is very much a danger of it. maybe everyone else is alot further along in this area than I am. All I know is I am leary of the whole concept because I know I have been guilty of doing just exactly what you described...it is a continual battle for me to take my focus off of other people and keep it on God.
I am not sure this is a bad thing, as long as it is our own lives we are measuring, and not anyone else's.
Speaking for myself, there are several people I know whose spirituality I very much admire. They have more patience, more quietness in the Lord, than I do. Their lives are much more calm, and they rest far more in God, and who he is.
By contrast, far too often I am like the proverbial duck; apparently floating along, but actually paddling like mad underneath the surface, so as not to go backwards in the strong currents of my life.
In such a situation, it is helpful to understand what it is that I lack, and ought to seek more of, and what it is that I can do without, and ought to seek to lose, with God's grace.
I am not sure any of that equates to any kind of judgementalism, in the negative sense. That only comes in if I think I have arrived, and others trail in my wake. I doubt if that is going to happen any time soon.
Good post! I am just saying there is very much a danger of it. maybe everyone else is alot further along in this area than I am. All I know is I am leary of the whole concept because I know I have been guilty of doing just exactly what you described...it is a continual battle for me to take my focus off of other people and keep it on God.
Do you have a mental critieria that you use?
Do you know what qualities a spiritually mature person would possess?
Interesting article on the subject.
Many Churchgoers, Pastors Struggle to Define Spiritual Maturity| Christianpost.com
Very nicely putgood post!
I have found it to be alot easier to just not look.Maybe the challenge could be to look at those we want to criticise, and keep looking until we see something to admire and emulate. Not easy, by any means.
I have found it to be alot easier to just not look.
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