How You Walk Is A Measure Of Your Maturity!
Colossians 4
KJV
5+ Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
Ephesians 5
KJV
15+ See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16+ Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17+ Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
The above advice is a recurring theme that the Apostle Paul gave to all his converts. He said these to those at Colossae and Ephesus and by extension to us of this age and time.
Though this cautionary advice was given to the believers regarding how they should “walk” with unbelievers, in my opinion and from experience it is equally applicable to how we walk with those “ within”.
Insiders must also know how they walk with fellow “insiders”, for not every “insider” is genuine! The threats posed to us by those “outside” are the same as those posed to us by some of those “within”. The behaviours, attitudes and conduct of those outside can be found within!
Have you ever complained about the behaviour of a member of your church before? We’ve all done it before, in fact on many occasions!
Why so you may ask! Well, it is about maturity! Every child of God was once a child of the devil, so when we become Christ’s followers we are expected to “put off the old “ and” put on the new “ nature; and here is where the challenge-difficulty lies.
Read it;
Ephesians 4
KJV
24+ And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
26+ Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27+ Neither give place to the devil.
28+ Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
29+ Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
We were supposed to be made “disciples” of Christ which is a process meant to instil and transform us into the likeness of Christ. But we are hardly taken through the process which unfortunately accounts for these lapses.
The church has in place what she calls “ new converts “ class where every newly converted person is to attend to receive training and instruction in righteousness! Christian growth and maturity are not an event but a process; a lifelong commitment to growth!
If the foundation is strong, the building shall be strong if it is weak so shall the building be. So every weakness you observe in any believer indicates that he/she did not attend the class nor is committed to the lifelong process of maturity.
A poor foundation therefore results in poor spiritual life and growth! What we teach at these foundational classes is seen through how those who pass through live their lives.
Therefore, we need to review and constantly monitor what lessons are taught at these foundational classes to mature ( disciple) members.
Thoughts to share. Christian growth and maturity are a lifelong process and not an event. So be committed.