- Proverbs 4:7 -Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do! And with your wisdom, develop common sense and good judgment. (Living Bible-TLB)
- Job 12:12 -Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding? (New International Version-NIV)
- 1 Corinthians 13:11 -When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. (New Living Translation-NLT)
Spiritual growth is a process that takes time and requires constant nurturing. That growth is achieved only through exercising spiritual disciplines with the guidance and approval of the Holy Spirit-the third person of the Holy Trinity- the caretaker of the Christian’s spirit. Otherwise the disciplines are mere time consuming activities, rituals that are void of spiritual merit. In other words, doing godly things without the Spirit of God has no meaning to God and is of no spiritual benefit to the doer (see Jerimiah 14:12).
In the New Testament, speaking about the worthlessness of religious activities practiced for personal, not spiritual, gain , 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. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ (Matthew 7:21-23)
During this Lenten Season, God please grant us the grace to remember that the purpose of Lent is for us to set aside time to reflect on Jesus Christ’s: suffering, sacrifice, life, death, burial and resurrection, and not just to abstain from things. Through Your Holy Spirit, help us grow spiritually as we mature in physical age. Let us acquire wisdom and understanding so we are living epistles that testify about the Lord Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
Reflections 