The Mission of Trinity Lutheran Church:
Led by God, equipped as disciples through Word and Sacrament, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to reach out with the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all.

The Vision of Trinity:
Growing in God’s Word to Share Christ’s Love

Together in God's Word

Philippians

Joyful Partners

in the

Gospel of Peace

Day 19 Thursday, August 22 Philippians  Chapter 3:15-21

15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained. 17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

How do we judge maturity? Is it a specific age? Jewish tradition is that at the age of 13 a boy becomes a man and a girl becomes a woman with great ceremony, demonstration of learning the Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah is celebrated.  The age of 13 is quite often the age Lutheran children confirm their faith after studying the catechism with the Pastor and giving a testimony of their faith. Public life views 18 or 21 the age of maturity at which contracts can be signed, life decisions such as military service and voting are allowed and  access to adult beverages and entertainment is granted. Which type of maturity is Paul speaking of?  He trusts that God will make it clear to those who keep their eye on the goal he spoke of in the previous section — eternal life in heaven. Paul continues by calling them to live to what they have already attained: justification by faith in Christ.  Living as God’s children, described in earlier parts of this letter, is being like-minded, putting others before self, risking all for sharing the Gospel with others.  He also tells them is not living as those who set their mind on earthly things. Achieving maturity in faith is more about how we act as followers of Christ than a specific age. However, the Jewish and Lutheran models of training a child up in the faith (Proverbs 22:6 and Ephesians 6:4) is also a Biblical model to follow (Deut. 6:4-9, Prov.22:6, Eph. 6:4, 2 Tim. 3:15). Growing in God’s Word and Sharing Christ’s love with all is what makes us mature Christians.

Dear Lord, We praise and thank you for calling us to faith. Continue to guide us as we strive to be mature in that faith by growing in knowledge of Your Word and by sharing Christ’s love with all. In Jesus name, Amen.