The Bible is teaching us more than we think. 

Sometimes we learn things because they are told to us directly. “Love your neighbour” is just one of many examples. 

We also learn things that are less obvious. We have to look a bit more closely to find them. Paul’s letters are an example. Let’s take Colossians. They had lost their focus. Jesus was somehow being devalued. As a result, Paul wrote them a letter. He did this because he loved and cared for them. 

His example teaches us that there are times when it is appropriate for a more mature Christian to reach out to a less mature Christian when it is clear they are headed in the wrong direction.

The idea of spiritual maturity saturates the Bible. We are told explicitly in Ephesians 4:13 that it is one of our shared goals as Christians. It is connected to the importance of “bearing fruit” in our faith (as in Matthew 7:16, Colossians 1: 6 and elsewhere). Hebrews 6:1 also comes to mind: “Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity…”

There are times when someone with less knowledge and experience needs to seek out the advice of a more mature Christian. As you read or listen to these words, perhaps you recognize that this is you. Wonderful. Take action.

There are other times when YOU are that mature Christian who is in a position to guide someone else. Many people are reluctant to think of themselves as a person of spiritual maturity. After all, humility is a sign of spiritual maturity and admitting that you are mature is perhaps something which doesn’t sound very humble! That’s why I’ll share four signs of spiritual maturity in tomorrow’s devotional. 

But for today, know this. You’re not in this alone. It’s okay to need help. And it’s okay to provide help. 

I recently heard it said that God meets you where you’re at, not where you should be at. I love that. Thanks be to God for his patience and grace!

Discipleship isn’t about competing; it’s about learning and serving.

Let’s do so together—not for our own glory, but for the glory of God.

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Notes and extra content:

—NEW: “What happens to babies when they die?” This question was recently submitted through Westminster’s Q & A Forum. Click here to listen to or read my response.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.