Maturity is a Must

Got maturity?
Got maturity?

As we continue our image and likeness discussion, God is not impressed with any position man holds on earth – as such positions we will hold in eternity will not correlate to those held on earth.  But how the hearts of each of us are focused away from the positions and prestige of this world toward the calling and direction of God for each individual life will be correlated with the position and responsibility He grants us in eternity.  (This doesn’t mean those with high earthly positions will be cast down, but it means to carry out the will of God, those in high positions must not be impressed with their position, but instead see it as a place to bear the Image of God with greater reach and responsibility while keeping their heart focused on Him.)

Jesus said:

“You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.  For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.” (John 13:13-16)

This leads to a test that requires some maturity.  You must understand and fully know that you are a Son, both King and Priest, to the Lord your God.  But at the same time, you must be fully stripped of any pride in your position.  God is not swelled with pride for who He is. He simply IS.  Your time here is a training ground for you to grow to this same maturity.  In this place, you can give of yourself in every capacity, because it does not take away from who you are.  And you will understand that if you can suffer so that someone else might be lifted up in the knowledge of God, that this is the model of Christ.

He lived His life in complete submission and obedience to His Father in Heaven and thus conquered sin and death and made a way for us.  Since Jesus was made perfect through suffering, if we are to be made perfect, what do you think that will look like?

This is Part 7 in the series Bearing the Image and Likeness of God. To continue with this series, click on Pt 8. To use this as a growth tool to better understand your own calling, please read Pt 1, Pt 2, Pt 3, Pt 4, Pt 5 and Pt 6.

Photo credit: verypink

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