Worth Remembering: The Journey of Spiritual Maturity
If you're reading this, please know that I'm not writing from a place of perfection, but from the middle of the process. Following Jesus isn't about getting 'better' through our own strength; it's about being reshaped by His redeeming power. It's a journey of learning how to stop reacting from our first emotional impulse and starting to respond with the steady, quiet peace of Christ. Let's look at what the Bible says about this—not as a list of rules, but as an invitation to a new way of living.
There comes a point in every believer's life when the Lord calls us to grow up—spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.
Following Jesus requires a renewed mind—one that processes disappointment, stress, and conflict through the lens of the Spirit rather than our first emotional impulse. His redeeming power is worth knowing, worth living in, and worth remembering.
1. A New Way of Thinking (Ephesians 4:17)
In Ephesians, Paul tells us we must no longer walk in the 'futility of our minds.' This is about our mindset. Redemption isn't just a ticket to heaven; it is the purchase back of something that was lost. It is deliverance from the captivity of our own raw emotions.
| The Truth | The Scripture | The Promise |
|---|---|---|
| Forgiveness | Ephesians 1:7 | Redemption through His blood and the riches of His grace. |
| Deliverance | Galatians 1:3 | He gave Himself to deliver us from this present evil age. |
| Identity | Galatians 2:20 | It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. |
| Inheritance | Hebrews 9:15 | Receiving the promised eternal inheritance through the New Covenant. |
2. The Lesson of Solomon: Grace in Reflection
King Solomon had every resource, yet he spent much of his life pleasing his own desires. He serves as a brave example of what not to chase after. He dropped the ball, and his mistakes impacted those around him.
Like Solomon, I have felt rejected. I have chased the wrong things. I have dropped the ball. But I refuse to rest in defeat. If God spoke to Solomon, how much more are we privileged to hear Him speak to our conscience through Jesus?
3. Bringing it Back to Communion
Communion brings our identity back into focus. When we hold the bread and the cup, we remember the ultimate moment when Jesus' plans, comfort, and well-being were all laid aside. He didn't respond with resistance—He responded with love.
- It Saves Us: Delivering us from the world's distractions.
- It Prunes Us: Cutting away the parts of us that no longer serve His purpose.
- It Shapes Us: Forming a heart that mirrors His own.
A Prayer for Renewal
Lord Jesus, as we come to Your table, renew our minds. Grow us beyond reacting out of emotion or frustration. Teach 'me' Lord, to walk as You walked. When my plans are interrupted, allow me to respond with the maturity, patience, and love that You showed on the cross. Amen.