The apostle Paul was one of the most profound people in the Bible. He wrote much of the New Testament and has many quotes and phrases that have become Holy canon scripture. One of my favorites is what he states in 1 Corinthians 13:11, "When I was a child, I spake like a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things." This verse is a profound statement which holds no confusion in it. It speaks to what type of person Paul was -- even if you do not know about Paul or his story. This Bible verse is part of the reason why the apostle Paul was so successful in the word of God and accomplished so much once he gave his life to Christ. If you look at it the other way, it is why many things have not changed in many people's lives also -- because of childish ways. Simply put, Paul is saying, I choose to grow up and live an adult lifestyle, rather than acting childish. It's drawing a line in the sand and telling you what he will not act like because of his age. Wouldn't it be nice if adults would choose maturity over childish ways instead of what we see today? The Bible is built for whoever wants to grow up and take on a life of responsibility and accountability in Christ. It is a game-changer only to those who seek the kingdom of God and are fully committed to it.
When you make a decision to grow up with the word of God -- all the promises of the Bible become accessible. God will guide you and take you on a journey that is incomparable to any journey you have ever experienced. But, you can only go on this journey with trust and full commitment to the Lord. There is no other way. If you read about the stories of Paul, he went on some spectacular journeys with Christ. Even though they were rough sometimes he always came out on top. In Hebrews 11:6 it says, "But without faith it is impossible to please him (God): for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Growing up takes faith. It takes a leap, which is not easy because of the old ways you may be used to. Like not keeping your word, getting angry easily, continuously talking about past hurts, blaming others for why you are where you are in your life, unforgiveness, bitterness, and much more. Your old ways are your comfort zone. Growing up is getting uncomfortable so you can break old habits and become a new person. You will never grow up if you do not have commitment or can handle a term of discomfort -- it won't happen.
When you begin to grow up a chain of events usually begins to happen in your life. Your family and/or friends may say that you are acting different. You may lose friendships or experience a break up with a girlfriend or boyfriend. Your job may not be as attractive or fulfilling to you. Eating or hanging at the same places may not be of interest to you anymmore. On the other-hand, if you are not committed to growing up, you will get left by those who are. Being uncommitted to growth will keep you in a place of instability and emptiness. Growth is taking a good look in the mirror and being honest with yourself about how you are living your life.
When God created man, he created you with the ability to make decisions on your own, good or bad. It is totally up to you whether you make the good decisions or not. Making good decisions has to do with growing up. Everything about growing up and choosing to follow Christ in the word of God has to do with making a conscious effort to do what His word says -- no matter what. That is what Paul is essentially talking about when he speaks about acting as a man. You have to believe "everything" in the Bible. You have to be "all-in" -- and fully persuaded. It is the only way you can truly get to the level God wants you to be with him.
Throughout history there have been many civilizations who have gotten stuck in a place which took years to get unstuck because of their thinking and lack of commitment to growing up. When the Israelites got stuck in the desert for 40 years in the book of Numbers, the thing that hurt them the most was their complaining and constant looking back to their past. This was their immaturity and lack of growing up. God would perform miracles for them and days later they were moaning about what they had in Egypt while they were once slaves. It was a very unappreciative spirit the Israelites carried that could not let go of their past. They were still stuck in their bondage mentally. People who complain a lot and constantly look back at their past are showcasing an inability to grow up. This is very dangerous. It is so dangerous the children of Israel got stuck in the desert for 40 years because of it. Immaturity stunts your growth. If you refuse to grow up you will be stuck in the desert too -- just like the Israelites, reflecting on how things used to be and not being appreciative of the little things in your life.
The word of God and following Jesus will keep you growing. Growth is a great feeling. It is God's design for us. It is freedom. So ask yourself some very serious questions. Have I grown up yet? Have I put away childish things? Do I speak like a child? Do I understand as a child? Whatever your answers are and no matter where you are in your life -- God wants to be in charge of your growth. Allow him to be. Commit to Him. Why? Because God designed growth to be for those who are willing to sacrifice their comfort and gain the treasures of the kingdom of God.
When you make a decision to grow up with the word of God -- all the promises of the Bible become accessible. God will guide you and take you on a journey that is incomparable to any journey you have ever experienced. But, you can only go on this journey with trust and full commitment to the Lord. There is no other way. If you read about the stories of Paul, he went on some spectacular journeys with Christ. Even though they were rough sometimes he always came out on top. In Hebrews 11:6 it says, "But without faith it is impossible to please him (God): for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Growing up takes faith. It takes a leap, which is not easy because of the old ways you may be used to. Like not keeping your word, getting angry easily, continuously talking about past hurts, blaming others for why you are where you are in your life, unforgiveness, bitterness, and much more. Your old ways are your comfort zone. Growing up is getting uncomfortable so you can break old habits and become a new person. You will never grow up if you do not have commitment or can handle a term of discomfort -- it won't happen.
When you begin to grow up a chain of events usually begins to happen in your life. Your family and/or friends may say that you are acting different. You may lose friendships or experience a break up with a girlfriend or boyfriend. Your job may not be as attractive or fulfilling to you. Eating or hanging at the same places may not be of interest to you anymmore. On the other-hand, if you are not committed to growing up, you will get left by those who are. Being uncommitted to growth will keep you in a place of instability and emptiness. Growth is taking a good look in the mirror and being honest with yourself about how you are living your life.
When God created man, he created you with the ability to make decisions on your own, good or bad. It is totally up to you whether you make the good decisions or not. Making good decisions has to do with growing up. Everything about growing up and choosing to follow Christ in the word of God has to do with making a conscious effort to do what His word says -- no matter what. That is what Paul is essentially talking about when he speaks about acting as a man. You have to believe "everything" in the Bible. You have to be "all-in" -- and fully persuaded. It is the only way you can truly get to the level God wants you to be with him.
Throughout history there have been many civilizations who have gotten stuck in a place which took years to get unstuck because of their thinking and lack of commitment to growing up. When the Israelites got stuck in the desert for 40 years in the book of Numbers, the thing that hurt them the most was their complaining and constant looking back to their past. This was their immaturity and lack of growing up. God would perform miracles for them and days later they were moaning about what they had in Egypt while they were once slaves. It was a very unappreciative spirit the Israelites carried that could not let go of their past. They were still stuck in their bondage mentally. People who complain a lot and constantly look back at their past are showcasing an inability to grow up. This is very dangerous. It is so dangerous the children of Israel got stuck in the desert for 40 years because of it. Immaturity stunts your growth. If you refuse to grow up you will be stuck in the desert too -- just like the Israelites, reflecting on how things used to be and not being appreciative of the little things in your life.
The word of God and following Jesus will keep you growing. Growth is a great feeling. It is God's design for us. It is freedom. So ask yourself some very serious questions. Have I grown up yet? Have I put away childish things? Do I speak like a child? Do I understand as a child? Whatever your answers are and no matter where you are in your life -- God wants to be in charge of your growth. Allow him to be. Commit to Him. Why? Because God designed growth to be for those who are willing to sacrifice their comfort and gain the treasures of the kingdom of God.
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