By Chris Murek

We were studying the epistle to the Romans when the subject of sanctification came up in the discussion. One brother made the accurate comment that sanctification is a matter of, and a process of, growing up.

Ephesians 4:15 in the Amplified version says: "Let our lives lovingly express truth in all things, speaking truly, enfolded in love; Let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him who is the Head: even Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One."
Oh, that we would be stirred to a new and fresh desire to grow, and to mature into all that our Lord has for us!

Complacency and even negligence of the marvelous salvation He gives may be seducing and robbing us of the fullness of His blessings!

Our carelessness robs our families and our children; we become spiritually weak and poor, and as we are not receiving of His abundance, we have nothing to give.
Yet if there be but a small flame of desire – a little willingness to press on toward the mark in Christ Jesus – our Heavenly Father is more than willing and able to fan the little flame and stir us toward maturity. Ask Him!

In everything ask and keep asking. We're reminded in James 4:2-3 that we have not because we ask not (or we ask amiss).
Why all these words? As one that came broken and needy to the free offer of the forgiving love of Christ almost thirty years ago, I speak out of a personal experience of drifting; of living in a spiritual comfort zone; of carelessness; of taking His love and giving none back!

I have entered and exited the house of God and the gathering of the redeemed totally unchanged. Lord forgive me! Lord help me!
So, my dear brothers and sisters – especially some of you old-timers – please bear with me in this brief encouragement.

Let us begin today, now, to do as Peter exhorts: to be sober and vigilant and to gird up the loins of our minds (I Peter 5:8).
Bob Dylan, some years ago, sang a song that carried a warning: So you better start swimming or you'll sink like a stone, for the times they are a-changing!

And Peter writes in I Peter 4:17: “It is time for judgment  to begin with the household of God."

So, what then shall we do? I think this one verse from a Promise Keepers hymn says it very well: Rise up, o man of God; Have done with lesser things; Give heart and soul and mind and strength; to serve the King of Kings.
The young converts, as well as our children, need to see Christ in us.

So I'm speaking the truth in love: Grow up!

And as the day follows the night, the joy of the Lord shall be our strength.