Spiritual Maturity

What is this? I mean spiritual maturity, that is reserved for the giants of our faith right? "It is such an awesome thing to think that I could ever reach that." "That will never happen for me." "That is reserved for people who have time for that kind of thing." These are just a few of the things we think about when the words "spiritual maturity" is thrown around. It is some impossible goal out there somewhere beyond our reach. However, the reality of being spiritually mature is right there for the taking. Do I think that any of us will ever reach perfection in this area, one day becoming completely mature - of course not! Jesus told us the way, the path, and it is a simple way to follow each and everyday.

Jesus said, "The first in importance is, 'Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.' And here is the second: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' There is no other commandment that ranks with these."
The religion scholar said, "A wonderful answer, Teacher! So lucid and accurate—that God is one and there is no other. And loving him with all passion and intelligence and energy, and loving others as well as you love yourself. Why, that's better than all offerings and sacrifices put together!"
When Jesus realized how insightful he was, he said, "You're almost there, right on the border of God's kingdom."

Mark 12:29-34

There is no other commandment other than these. What would be the consequence of following just these two commandments? Would you worry about your life? Would you be tempted to look at that porn? Would you be angry with the people around you? Would you be concerned about your ego and how it was hurt? Would you be able to understand the hurt and pain of others, you family, and listen to and comfort them? What would be the consequence of knowing these and living these commandments? Would it place you right at the border of God's kingdom? I think it would and it does. If I am consumed with these two commands, all the others are followed without even having to think about them. Read this:

So don't lose a minute in building on what you've been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can't see what's right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books.

2 Peter 1:3-9

Spiritual maturity is understanding that we all have imperfections. Spiritual maturity is understand that I do not have to "fix" you. Spiritual maturity is allowing God to do that and me to just love you. Spiritual maturity is allowing God to be the one who is in control, not thinking that I am doing something for God. Spiritual maturity is knowing God so well I cannot help but live like God. Spiritual maturity is knowing God so well that nothing can flow out of me except God in love, actions, compassion, kindness, hope, faith, creativity, passion, awe, friendliness, patience, understanding, and peace. If this is done I cannot help but love my neighbor, not matter who that may be - "christian" or not. If this is done how would I fall into anger, bitterness, frustration, depression, anxiety, etc?

Today, just love God and others. Get to know God and stop worrying about if you are "sinning" or not. Get to know God and as you do begin to act like what you know about God. Watch how spiriutality mature you can become. Perfect? Never, but you can expereince the kingdom of God now.

Namaste'