The Test of Maturity

We are going to be faced with offense, disagreements, and misunderstandings often so it’s good to get this mindset in us so we can move forward in love and purpose. The key is to remember that God has freely forgiven us and will continue to do so as long as we come to Him and repent.  He wants us to do the same for others.

God will never say, “Sorry, you offended Me and hurt My feelings one too many times so I just can’t let this go, I can’t forgive you.”  That would NEVER happen with God! He always forgives us no matter what we do or how often. He is simply asking us to do for others what He does for us.

Paul is specifically speaking here about our fellow Christians. He’s instructing us to have grace, gentleness, and tolerance with one another. Just as people rub us the wrong way and hurt us, we also have that affect on others, we’re just not as open to recognizing it in ourselves as quickly as we do in others.

Love is the true mark of maturity and this is one area that will absolutely test us! God help us to pass the tests. Help us to put on love and leave it on. Help us to forgive others as quickly as we have been forgiven.

“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. For love is supreme and must flow through each of these virtues. Love becomes the mark of true maturity.” Colossians 3:13-14 TPT