Heeding God’s word brings maturity

While I was in a local florist on Thursday buying a bouquet of flowers I heard that the shop was extremely busy with preparations for the junior/senior prom at Palmer High School.

I remember proms, both as a high school student and as a father. I’m still not sure about what the tradition is behind prom, but I know I have heard talk that as teenagers dress in formal clothing, as they eat at nice restaurants and go to a special dance, prom provides an opportunity for young people to pass from adolescence to maturity.

Was your prom an evening of growth in maturity? I personally have read that proms are a time today that is dangerous for the health of high school students. So, perhaps another question should be asked: What does help a person, not just a teenager, grow in being responsible and mature?

I know Christians will answer that question differently than those who are not Christian, but I believe that God’s word has much direction on growth and maturity.

The verse that sticks in my mind comes from 2 Timothy 3:14-17. There God speaks through Paul, saying: “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

God points to his word as a source of maturity, but perhaps the first evidence of maturity might be surprising. Maturity shows through wisdom “for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” There is wisdom in having faith or trust in Jesus. We trust God’s saving acts in Jesus for our eternal life. But wisdom also trusts the Lord to be with us, to guide us and to help us in this life. We trust the Lord before we trust ourselves. This is a sign of maturity.

Then God tells us that scripture will help us to grow through teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that we are equipped for every good work. Maturity shows when a person is trained in righteousness and when a person is equipped for doing good in the world around us. Perhaps as a parent you have had a discussion with your children that with privilege comes responsibility. That is what our heavenly father is saying to his children. With the grace of God’s love, he expects growth as his child. This growth is not just for teenagers. This growth is for children of God of all ages. Maybe you can think of areas right now where you need to grow. I know I can.

While I read about the dangers of a prom, my experience with proms has been positive. Yet, it is worth considering how we personally grow and mature, and how we can encourage the young people in our lives to grow and mature. In the Bible verse I quoted today I hear God saying that maturity begins with his grace in Jesus, and maturity continues as we follow God’s word and put his grace into action in our lives.

Jonathan Rockey is pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer. Contact him at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.

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