Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Today let’s evaluate our spiritual growth.

In today’s scripture, 1 Corinthians 3:1‭-‬3 (NLT), the Apostle Paul wrote…
Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in Christ. I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready, for you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world?

Consider…
A person’s development or growth is closely monitored and evaluated from the moment of birth. Some of the first facts shared about a newborn, beyond their name and sex, are height and weight.

Throughout the rest of a person’s life their physical, mental and emotional growth will be monitored and evaluated. One of the purposes of evaluation is to assess ability, capacity and developmental needs to achieve optimal functioning.

People regularly pay attention to their personal growth, especially professional and academic. However, how many believers pay close attention to their spiritual growth? When was the last time you as a believer did a spiritual maturity assessment? I am not speaking of spiritual gifts, I am referring to maturity.

For example, how do you measure up to Ephesians 5:1‭-‬10 (NLT), which says…
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.

• Are you imitating God?
• Are you living a life of love?
• Are you presenting your body as a living sacrifice to God (Romans 12:1)
• How’s your speech?

In today’s scripture, the Apostle Paul gave a scathing assessment of the believers at Corinth. I believe his assessment applies to many Christians today as well. Notice he said…

• The believers still had worldly thinking. Do you?
• The believers were incapable of the deeper comprehension of God. Are you?
• The believers were still controlled by their sinful natures. What or who controls you?

It’s a worthwhile exercise to have a one-on-one review with God regularly to assess where you’re spiritually strong and the areas you need to grow in. Spiritual development is different than church longevity. There will be a number of church attendees or ‘good’ people surprised on judgement day. Remember Jesus said…
“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. – Matthew 7:21 NLT

Notice Jesus said, only those who do God’s will are going to enter the Kingdom. That means there is an expectation that we mature from hearing or knowing what God expects to doing it. The Apostle James said it this way…
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. – James 1:22 NLT

Because we know better, God fully expects us to be better. Like the Apostle Paul wrote…
Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. – Ephesians 4:21‭-‬24 NLT

Speaking of being better, here’s another easy evaluation to assess your spiritual development. How do you measure up against Ephesians 4:25‭-‬32 (NLT), which says…
So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

If Jesus Christ is Lord of your life, you should be different! You should live a transformed life that lives to please God. That’s what Romans 12:2 (NLT) exhorts us to do…
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Here’s one final evaluation for today, to assist you in assessing what spiritually needs addressing in your life. Colossians 3:12‭-‬17 (NLT) says…
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Again, how do you measure up?

We are saved by grace, but God expects us to effectively run His Holy race. The Apostle Paul emphasizes my point this way in Philippians 3:14‭-‬15 (NLT)… I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you.

Although we don’t earn our salvation, God fully expects us to live differently because of it.

So the next time you’re considering a physical, mental, emotional, professional or educational growth evaluation, don’t forget to also include the most important evaluation of all, which is spiritual.

God saved you to be different. Are you? Regardless of your answer, there’s work to do. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

Today’s song is…
Different

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)