The True Mark Of Maturity

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Colossians chapter 3:

1 Christ’s resurrection is your resurrection too. This is why we are to yearn for all that is above, for that’s where Christ sits enthroned at the place of all power, honor, and authority! 2 Yes, feast on all the treasures of the Heavenly realm and fill your thoughts with Heavenly realities, and not with the distractions of the natural realm.

3 Your crucifixion with Christ has severed the tie to this life, and now your true life is hidden away in God in Christ. 4 And as Christ Himself is seen for who He really is, who you really are will also be revealed, for you are now ONE with Him in His Glory!

In order to fully walk in Christ’s resurrection, we must also be crucified with Him and sever the ties to the world.  We must not allow ourselves to be distracted by the world as we walk IN HIM.  As our focus remains being in full unity with Him, we will take on the same Glory and who we are will be revealed to the world.  FATHER’S Divine Intent will be on display and produce the good fruit HE intended before we were formed in the womb.  Love will be our foundation.

Paul further wrote:

5 Live as one who has died to every form of sexual sin and impurity. Live as one who has died to the desires for forbidden things, including the desire for wealth, which is the essence of idol worship. 6 When you live in these vices you ignite the anger of God against these acts of disobedience.

7–8 That’s how you once behaved, characterized by your evil deeds. But now it’s time to eliminate them from your lives once and for all—anger, fits of rage, all forms of hatred, cursing, filthy speech, 9 and lying. Lay aside your old Adam-self with its masquerade and disguise.

The acts of disobedience kindle anger with Our Heavenly Father so let us distance ourselves from those impurities that would keep us from Holiness.  Instead, let us focus on walking a crucified life knowing that the Glory will arrive and we will be fully led by The Holy Spirit.  If you are guilty of any of these acts then stop!

10 For you have acquired new creation life which is continually being renewed into the likeness of the One who created you; giving you the full revelation of God. 11 In this new creation life, your nationality makes no difference, nor your ethnicity, education, nor economic status—they matter nothing. For it is Christ that means everything as He lives in every one of us!

In essence, The Holy Spirit says “All lives matter!”  Why must we concern ourselves with what separates us when The Holy Spirit is focused on what unifies us?

12 You are always and dearly Loved by God! So robe yourself with virtues of God, since you have been Divinely chosen to be Holy. Be merciful as you endeavor to understand others, and be compassionate, showing kindness toward all. Be gentle and humble, unoffendable in your patience with others.

13 Tolerate the weaknesses of those in the family of faith, forgiving one another in the same way you have been graciously forgiven by Jesus Christ. If you find fault with someone, release this same gift of forgiveness to them. 14 For Love is supreme and must flow through each of these virtues. Love becomes the mark of true maturity.

15 Let your heart be always guided by the peace of the Anointed One, Who called you to peace as part of His One Body. And always be thankful.

To summarize:

Be merciful

Be compassionate

Show kindness toward all

Be gentle

Be humble

Be unoffendable

Tolerate the weaknesses of those in the family of faith

Forgive

If you find fault with someone, release them

Be thankful

Let Love flow through each of these virtues, the true mark of maturity!

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