By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
Maturity Vs imaturity (25/6/2021)
1 Corinthians 3:2-4 “I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?”
At some point, maturity is expected to be attained. But when that doesn’t happen at the right time, it becomes awkward. Beautiful and lovely as a child is, he is expected to outgrow childhood stage. The Corinthians, by the time Paul wrote, were still babies immature in the faith and yet expected to have matured. This manifested in being worldly, disunited, jealousy, and quarreling among themselves. These are still the marks of immaturity.
On the other hand, there are signs of maturity expected to be exhibited. These include the fruit of the Spirit love, peace, patience, kindness, …(Gal 5:22-23), unity in the faith, becoming more like Christ. It is in the maturity of God’s people that He is most glorified as we reflect Him. The church’s mission in the world is to be ambassadors of God, representing Him and His kingdom. In imaturity, the church brings more shame than glory to God.
Let each one of us who is individually a member of the body of Christ seek to grow so as to meaningfully contribute to the body and bring glory to God. Paul said there is a view of things, approach to issues and perceptions of people in a dignified manner that shows maturity. It sees everything from God’s perspective. Let God help us attain that level.
Philippians 3:15-16 “All of us, then, 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. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.”
Shalom children of God.