Spiritual maturity

December 31st, 2007

God has been speaking to me recently in ways that are truly humbling. First, there was a general realization that I am not where He wants me to be in terms of my spiritual maturity. In fact, I am not even close.

Then there was Will’s awesome message yesterday about change, which could have been written just for me.

Then today, I came across this quote from Philip Yancey’s book, The Jesus I Never Knew:

“The proof of spiritual maturity is not how pure you are, but an awareness of your impurity. That very awareness opens the door to grace. Spiritual maturity is not measured in the rules you keep. Spiritual maturity is not measured in the Bible answers you know in small groups. Spiritual maturity is not even about what you do. Primarily, Spiritual maturity is knowing who you are in Christ.”

God has granted me the vision to see my impurity for all it is. It matters not one iota how righteous I might appear in worship or Bible study gatherings. What matters to God — and ultimately to me — is my relationship with Christ.

So my humble resolution for 2008 is simply to turn myself over completely to Him. Only by doing that can I ever hope to reach the level of spiritual maturity that God wishes for me — to ultimately be transformed into the very image of Christ Himself.

Entry Filed under: Pete's Blog