Spiritual Adulthood

“We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” 

Romans 7:14–19 

Do your memories reach back to the tween years, age ten to twelve or so? You felt almost grown-up at times, yet you were still very much a child—playing with dolls and Hot Wheels and not quite ready to let go of your favorite stuffed animal. You needed to grow up, but it took time to do so. That’s what I appreciate so much about Romans 7. It gives me great hope to know that even Paul, the great apostle, struggled to grow in Christ. And if it was a difficult path for him, you know it’s a challenge for us!  

As Christians, however, we must continue growing. The Holy Spirit will help us and nudge us along into spiritual adulthood. But it means we’ve got to starve our old, sinful nature and feed the new creation we are in Christ. It’s way past time for us to grow up! 

Holy Spirit, draw me further into life—authentic life—today. If I’ve been playing with mud pies at the side of the road, help me to get back on the journey. I want to let go of the childish, unhelpful things I’ve been clinging to for comfort. I want to grow up into all You want me to be.