The life of Jesus – background information between the old and new testaments
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THE DEFINITION OF MATURITY
I have a habit of clipping things from magazines and newspapers. This is one reason I have several file boxes of recipes. It’s not just recipes that I clip. I also clip sayings, articles, poems, etc. I always think that I’ll find a use for them one day.
Last Sunday morning I was taking something out of my Bible, and this little clipping fell out. It says:
“The Definition of Maturity
The ability to stick with a job until it’s finished.
The ability to do a job without being supervised.
The ability to carry money without spending it.
And the ability to bear an injustice without wanting to get even.”
I have no idea where I found this, but it got my attention once again. It made me think what that would mean in terms of spiritual maturity. I think we can find some references in Scripture that make this a definition for spiritual maturity.
Being able and willing to stick with a job until it is finished is an admirable quality. It is essential in the business world, but it is also essential in the Christian’s life. Jesus had a purpose, and He worked at that purpose until His job was done. He told His disciples, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work” (John 4:34 ESV). The King James Version says “to finish his work.” Later, in John 17, Jesus says, “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.” Even Jesus was under obligation to complete His work. Paul also felt an obligation for the work he was chosen to do. He said, “…I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (Second Timothy 4:7-8).
We also need to take responsibility for the work we are to do and do it without having to be told what to do. When Jesus gave His final instructions to the eleven men who had followed Him faithfully for three years, He sent them out to a specific work. His instructions included go, make disciples of all nations, baptize them, and teach them to obey His commandments. It was up to them how to get the job done. Our commandants are the same. We need to be able to go, teach, baptize, and teach the commandments of Jesus.
Carrying money without spending it is a challenge. When my son was a little boy, he would immediately take any money he earned or received as a gift to the bank. He was afraid he would spend it. Judas must have had a problem with money. He complained when Mary anointed the feet of Jesus, but it was not out of concern for the poor as he said but because he was a thief (John 13:6). I think the writer of this definition of maturity had in mind the person that cannot hold onto his money, but spiritually speaking, the thief fits this as well.
The last of the definitions is very difficult. I know from experience. It is instinctive in us to want to return evil for evil; but when God is in full control of our hearts, we can forgive and move on. When we forgive, we lose that desire to get even. Forgiveness gives us freedom and prevents us from losing our soul.
When Jesus was teaching the disciples to pray, He said, “…and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors…For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:12-15).
Notice that in the definition it says, “without wanting to get even.” That requires a true change of heart. The art of forgiveness is not even thinking about getting even with someone who has wronged us.
What a blessing it would be if we could adopt these four attitudes of maturity into our lives, both physically and spiritually. We will be more like Christ if we do.
Sandra Oliver