Growing Older - Getting Better |
Becoming mature in Christ is a process that produces progress in becoming conformed to the image of Christ. Although this can happen during the mountaintop highs of life, it seems that most of the time it occurs in the difficult valley below where most of our life is lived. Maturing as a Christian does not mean that we are shielded or immune to the difficulties and dangers of the world. We are not exempt from the weakness of our fallen flesh, nor unaffected by the schemes of our adversary the devil. We do not somehow escape the frustrations of difficult circumstances or painful situations. The fact is, all of these difficulties are planned and provided by the Lord so that as we are exposed to them, we come to the end of ourselves and find Him. One day as Jesus was teaching concerning the difficult realities of life, many of His disciples decided to turn away, leave Him, and no longer walk with Him. Jesus said therefore to the twelve, “You do to want to go away also, do you?” Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life and we have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.” John 6:67-69 Maturity in the Christian life is recognizing who has the words of eternal life and to whom we should go. Serving Him with you until He comes for us, Fred |