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1 Corinthians 13:10-12 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. (11) When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. (12) For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. (KJV)
When you think back to your childhood, much of how you view life, the way you talk, relate with others, and your priorities change as one matures. When I was younger, not only physically, but spiritually young in the Lord, instead of being quicker to hear, and slower to speak, I to would usually speak first, then come to an understanding of what I just said, finally thinking, wow I shouldn’t have said that. When one matures in the Lord, and is able to come to a clearer understanding of how to walk and talk in the Spirit, then the order is changed; you think about what you are going to say, understanding it is words of life, before speaking them forth. Perfect refers to maturity, and the more one grows in the Lord, the more they can relate to Him, as well as He with us. After all, how much of a conversation can an adult have with a child? It is limited to where their understanding is. And if you have ever worked for a construction company, how well could a four year old read a blueprint, let alone work a job? So like a child, when one is young in the Lord, their vision, their understanding is limited, or in part, but as one grows, then they are able to look in the mirror and see a mature Christian looking back at them; having a clearer vision into the realm of the Spirit, as well as resembling more and more their Father. Ephesians 4:11-15 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (KJV) Many, tell children of Santa Clause, the Easter bunny, and the tooth fairy, which makes them wide eyed and excited, but does nothing for their spiritual growth. Many of what man calls preachers and teachers of the word of God do the same thing; which unless one is mature enough in the Lord, grounded and settled in the truth, they will end up falling for the same gimmicks. In order to speak the truth in love, one needs to be honest with themselves first so that they can stand clean before the Lord, before He will entrust them with His work. Though many wonder ’why Lord, don’t you use me more?’ they need to ask themselves if they would entrust their riches with an immature liar and a thief. I use the term immature liar because many hold man to be true instead of God. I use the term thief, because many rob God the opportunity to work through them, because they hang on to their old childish ways, and thus limit Him. 1 Corinthians 11:28-31 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. (29) For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. (30) For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. (31) For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. (KJV) It takes someone mature in the Lord who is willing to examine themselves; that when they look in their spiritual mirror they see Christ looking back at them. Here’s a thought, could you imagine your walk with the Lord, and where you would be if you were as willing to scrutinize yourself as you do others? What if you could see your own shortcomings and faults as good as you see it in others? Or maybe you do and that’s what irks you, things that reflect your own life. You wonder why Christians become weak, sickly, and are asleep at the wheel heading for a ditch. It’s because they don’t come clean with God, but rather live in a state of denial, which if we deny Him access to our life, He will deny us access to His eternal life as well. James 1:22-25 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. (23) For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: (24) For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. (25) But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. (KJV) Being Christ like is a way of life, not some part time occupation to appease others. Many have the talk, but not the walk. Is your walk with the Lord in line with the talk, or has one gotten ahead of the other? I have found those that I consider mature in the Lord are those who let their walk do the talking for them, so that when they do share their insights, it has substance. Are you a continual doer, or a casual hearer, like a child hearing only those things that appeal to the flesh, and not the things that will set one free, and keep them free? Grow up, so that your life will be a mirror reflection of our heavenly Father in a dark and obscure world. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Corinthians 2:6-8 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (KJV)
The wisdom being referred to is a spiritual wisdom from above; revealed to those who desire to worship the Lord in Spirit, and just as importantly, in truth. Those who are referred to as perfect in verse 6 are the ones that have matured in Christ and are now walking in His wisdom, because they have walked away from their own. 1 Corinthians 13:9-10 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. (KJV) People have a partial understanding of things based on their limited outward interpretations; however, the real growth and maturity takes place when you eliminate the outward and see in the realm of the Spirit where you will have more of a perfect or mature understanding of how salvation truly works instead of being tossed back and forth like some dried out tumble weed in winds of doctrines. 1 Corinthians 13:11-12 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. (KJV) I can look back at some of the childish things that I have done even after having been born again; however, once I was able to get the blinders of my childish ways removed, I was able to see a more clear and perfect way of serving the Lord in the realm of the Spirit. Ecclesiastes 11:9-10 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. 10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity. (KJV) There comes a point in every believer’s walk where they arrive at a crossroad, one where they either continue to walk closer to the Lord, or begin a downward spiral by walking back into the realm of the flesh. If you are going to truly mature in Christ and know His doctrine for yourself then you will find that you will need to remove the childish influences of your past in order to do so. Dearly loved, have a very blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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