Church Update
March 18, 2025
Dear Church of the Open Bible,
How do you define maturity? What does that look like in someone’s life?
Our kids are getting older by the day (big surprise!), so this question is becoming more pertinent. Some ways society measures maturity include graduating from high school, having romantic relationships, and being able to drive a car and buy alcohol. While pressure to achieve these “milestones” increases, it is fascinating to see what maturity looks like from God’s perspective.
One of the many places that we see this is in Paul’s instructions to his younger disciple, Timothy. After describing what Timothy is to pursue and what he is to flee, Paul illustrates what maturity looks like for an individual as they interact with others.
Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. - 2 Timothy 2:23–25.
Immaturity expresses itself in impatience, the need to be right, and the love of debate. Maturity, on the other hand, is to know and share God’s word clearly and graciously. We are so quick to take offense and so slow to forgive. Maturity is not to be so touchy, but rather to endure even evil against us patiently. Maturity is to respond gently to those who disagree with us. And maturity is to be kind to everyone. Why? That we might reflect our Lord and hope that He might grant those around us the repentance we ourselves have received.
Maturity is not only for our kids. By the power of the Spirit, would you join me in pursuing maturity in Christ in these ways today?
In Him,
Pastor Jeremy