Robbie said goodbye and out the door he went. I reflected back on the conversation we had just before he left.
He had informed me of a decision that he had made. It was the right one, I might add. When he phoned back later, I had to tell him, “I am proud of you!”
Our 21 year old has truly grown up.
Making great decisions is a measure of maturity. Some children grow up faster than others. Some seem like they will never grow up at all. Maturity is a process that can be coaxed but not really rushed.
Making great decisions in matters of right and wrong is also a reflection of a person’s walk with the Lord. If you stop to think about it, making great decisions and making great decisions when it comes to your relationship with God overlap quite a bit.
Sin – which separates us from God – is often the result of our bad decisions. In most cases, if not all, before you sinned you stopped and thought about it. Then you decided to go ahead. If you had obeyed the Lord, you would have made the right decision.
Spiritual maturity, like maturity, is a process that covers more than right and wrong. We need to be patient with our Christian brothers and sisters as they grow in the Lord.
For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Hebrews 5:13-14
If you are older and more spiritually mature than those around you, you have an obligation to teach them to make great decisions. You have an obligation to be a living example of a spiritually mature Christian walking in the spirit.
But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
Titus 2:1-6
What kind of decisions are you making? Are you older and more spiritually mature? Are you leaving a legacy of walking with the Lord? Young or old, you never know who is watching and learning from you. Be a witness of the goodness of the Lord.
LIFE APPLICATION
Key Focal Verse:
His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Matthew 25:23
Today’s challenge is to ask God to reveal your spiritual maturity to you. Is it time for you to become a teacher and leader? Maybe you are young in your walk. If so, find a Christian mentor. Seek to walk more and more in the spirit each day. Remember that God is not done with any of us yet!