Hi Folks,
I believe we need spiritual maturation and wisdom in this day and age, especially in the church. Paul says in 1 Cor. 3 that he could not talk to the believers in Corinth like he should have been able to. “When I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people.” They were acting like spiritual babies. He could not share the truths they needed to hear. They were too immature spiritually. How did he know this? He says in verse three, “For you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature?” Unfortunately, the same could be said for many in our churches today. Christians fuss and argue, debate and strive against one another. We should be acting better than this.
We will never accomplish in this life what God wants us to acting like spiritual babies. We will never build anything for the kingdom of God. Christ is the foundation. But every man should be careful what they are building on this foundation. “But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ” (verses 10-11). We will be judged for how we build. “Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. 14 If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames” (verses 12-15).
We need spiritual wisdom to build something the way God wants it. “Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say, “He traps the wise in the snare of their own cleverness.” And again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise; he knows they are worthless”” (verse 18-20).
We can face the future with a glorious expectation. God is with us. Let us walk as mature believers not entangled with the fussing and fighting that trouble so many in the churches today. Let us walk in the wisdom God gives us and build something that will last for the kingdom of God. Blessings to you as you pursue God’s purpose. “Everything belongs to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.”