AUGUST 19
scripture reading: Hebrews 5:11–6:12

Deus Pro Nobis

When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. (I Corinthians 13:11)

When Jesus explained that no one could enter the kingdom of heaven unless they “become like children” (Matthew 18:3), he was encouraging us to be childlike, not childish. To be humble, teachable and trusting is to be childlike. This is pleasing to God. To be selfish, willful, and moody is simply to act like a big baby. Such immaturity pleases no one!

The Bible contains many helpful criteria to enable a person to get an accurate read on his / her level of spiritual maturity. At the risk of oversimplification, I have devised a simple (and very unscientific) test that will enable you to take a spiritual MRI (Maturity Rating Indicator). Each Scripture verse is followed by a statement, helping you to get a rough measurement of your growth into the image of Christ. Rate yourself from 1 (the lowest correlation) to 5 (the highest).

You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil (Hebrews 5:12–14). When moral choices are demanded, I quickly and accurately discern the difference between right and wrong. Score: .

I could not address you as spiritual people, but as . . . infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. . . . For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving in a human way? ( I Corinthians 3:1–3). When I don’t get my way, I never get jealous or cause strife. Score: .

Until we all attain . . . to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine . . . (Ephesians 4:13–14). When confronted with philosophies and theologies that are contrary to my own, I am not easily swayed. Score: .

Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him, who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, . . . when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (Ephesians 4:15–16) In my relationships with others I always seek to embody both truth and love in their fullest expressions. Score: .

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food. . . . (Hebrews 5:12). I am able to teach the Bible because I know the Word and do what it says. Score: .

If you scored 20–25, you show evidence of real maturity, at least in the areas spo- ken of in these verses. If you scored 5–10, you desperately need to grow. But don’t put too much confidence in these scores. Trust rather in the Word and the Spirit to reveal the truth about your real level of spiritual maturity. My prayer is that this little exercise will help you discover the truth about your need to grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (II Peter 3:18).

Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you an automobile.  —Billy Sunday

point to ponder • What hinders your growth in grace? Do you lack confidence in what the Bible says? If you are able to speak the truth, are your words steeped in love? Are you able to shine the light of Gospel truth on everything you read? Are you jealous? Do you contribute to cynicism or criticism?

prayer focus • That God would reveal to you any immaturity in yourself.