Next week Linda and I will be on a camping vacation at Pine Grove Furnace with seven of our grandchildren and two of our adult children. This is an annual camping trip that we have taken for many years. We have one main rule about who can come. They must be at least eight years of age or very close to it. We made an exception for a granddaughter who was younger than that because her mother comes with us. The reason for this is that we want them to be independent in most areas of self-care. With that many children to watch and manage, we need them to be able to do most things on their own.
When we think about “maturity” from a basic human understanding, “independence” is one of the aspects of what we are talking about. We are looking for children to grow into maturity and become independent. The idea is that they will learn from us and eventually graduate from high school, maybe go to college, get a job, get married, have children and live independently.
What is interesting is that “spiritual maturity” is the exact opposite. One aspect of spiritual maturity is recognizing our dependency on God. 2 Peter 1.3 “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”
We are dependent on him for salvation. Ephesians 2.8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith— and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
We are dependent on him for wisdom. James 1.5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”
We are dependent on him for everything good. James 1.17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
We are dependent on him for strength. Philippians 4.13 “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
We are dependent on him for peace. Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
And the list could go on. We are to depend on God all the time, and there are times we can do nothing else. John 15.5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” This maturation process takes a lifetime. We grow into this maturity by leaning into God through daily reading of the Bible and prayer. God is our all in all.
In Christ Alone
Pastor Gary
ANNUAL MEETING AND WORSHIP CONFERENCE LIVESTREAM –
For those of you who are interested in being a part of the AMWC from a distance here is the link for the livestream and the program. The AMWC runs from Thursday evening at 6:30 through Saturday at noon.
Livestream: Annual Meeting & Worship Conference Live Stream (English) – Covenant Brethren Church
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