Maturity

Saturday December 2, 2023

A mature person is productive and effective and, with the knowledge they have gained, they keep on improving their standing in the community while growing closer to God. Many of us have been called immature in the past because any knowledge we may have had did not lead us to do anything that improved our lives, or make a positive contribution to the lives of others. If we are to become mature, we need to faithfully follow God’s principles in all our affairs.

I am the vine. You are the branches. If you remain joined to me, and I to you, you will bear a lot of fruit. You can’t do anything without me. If you don’t remain joined to me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and dries up. (John 15:5-6a NIRV)

A gardener will prune the branches of a grapevine so that the vine will not develop more grape clusters than it can feed. Pruning also forces the vine to grow in a shape that is helpful when harvesting. When we ask God to remove our defects of character we are cutting away those things that will hinder the growth of our new nature. As we put God’s principles into effect we will grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus. This is the route to maturity and producing much fruit for the Kingdom of God.

You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain joined to me, just as I also remain joined to you. No branch can bear fruit by itself. It must remain joined to the vine. In the same way, you can’t bear fruit unless you remain joined to me. (John 15:3-4 NIRV)

Those of us who have had a spiritual awakening know that we must grow in the knowledge of God’s Word and continue to obey what it says. To help us do that we must have conscious contact with God through prayer and meditation on the Scriptures. We must seek God’s will for our lives and ask Him for the power to carry it out. This is the way to maturity and God’s blessing in our lives.

All these things should describe you more and more. They will make you useful and fruitful as you know our Lord Jesus Christ better. (2 Peter 1:8 NIRV)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Help me to let go of anything that would hinder my growth or impede my desire to know You more. I want to bear much fruit for Your Kingdom. Amen

Maturity

Audio for Maturity

Recent Meditations

DEALING WITH PRESSURE

WHEN TO SPEAK AND WHEN TO BE SILENT

TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE

CLARITY

A BLAMELESS CONSCIENCE

Giving Hope