The test of genuine Christian maturity

[Ddavid from NC]

AW Tozer great writer of devotion and Christian living, wrote "The test of genuine Christian maturity is the greater desire and passion for holiness rather than personal happiness." As we have heard before, this is what separates the men from the boys and women from the girls. Much energy is spent struggling for personal happiness and asking God to grant it, pursuing Him only for the advantage of knowing Him. While the greatest blessings are found in serving Him and pursuing Him only in the interest of holiness. The Tozer challenge is very sobering and purifying. Where are you on this path?

[Guest LadyC]

where am i on the path.... oh, probably about 3/4 of the distance... THIS week. next week i may have taken a step or two backward.

i remember vividly a while back... maybe a year, probably not so long, when i finally quit worrying so much about my happiness. that was the day my prayers changed and instead of being "do whatever it takes to get my husband off drugs to you as long as it doesn't affect MY life too drastically" to "do whatever it takes, and give me the strength and grace to deal with it no matter how it affects me.

[Ddavid from NC]

where am i on the path.... oh, probably about 3/4 of the distance... THIS week. next week i may have taken a step or two backward.

i remember vividly a while back... maybe a year, probably not so long, when i finally quit worrying so much about my happiness. that was the day my prayers changed and instead of being "do whatever it takes to get my husband off drugs to you as long as it doesn't affect MY life too drastically" to "do whatever it takes, and give me the strength and grace to deal with it no matter how it affects me.

Direct application..beautiful!

[Guest man]

I think you find happiness in the pursuit of holiness.

Because if you're not happy, your heart's not in it....and if your heart's not in it, you're wasting your time.

[terter]

To me the fruit of the spirit is more what represents our maturity.

[Prodigalson123]

Great answer LadyC! I remember that when I take me out of the equation then things work much better. I asked the Lord to remove me from the issue of my wife's salvation, then she started making progress. I asked to be removed from being a stumbling block to another ministry then things started happening. Now, I didn't remove myself from these topics, I stopped asking that my way be the solution or my concerns be heard. Funny how much God can do when i get out of the way! To answer the question of the post, I'm nowhere near where I should be. But the Lord is gracious, and allows me to continue to be in the process. Quite humbling actually.

[Honeybee88]

For a long time I prayed for holiness, and I didn't realize that it would mean that God would have to take me through some very rough times. I'm still in the trying times, but at last now I realize that when I pray to be humbled, I am asking for trials. I continue to pray for growth, seeing that growth comes through things NOT going my way. He has rewarded my seeking by showing me wrong attitudes that I was totally blind to before. Yet I see that unless my desire for personal holiness translates into holy living, it is useless. This is what I strive for at this point.

[artsylady]

I think that joy should be able to happen in the midst of unhappiness, if that makes any sense.

We are meant to go through struggles and meant to go through pain and hardship so any Christian expecting a nice smooth ride is in for trouble.

[Vickilynn]

AW Tozer great writer of devotion and Christian living, wrote "The test of genuine Christian maturity is the greater desire and passion for holiness rather than personal happiness." As we have heard before, this is what separates the men from the boys and women from the girls. Much energy is spent struggling for personal happiness and asking God to grant it, pursuing Him only for the advantage of knowing Him. While the greatest blessings are found in serving Him and pursuing Him only in the interest of holiness. The Tozer challenge is very sobering and purifying. Where are you on this path?

Shalom,

Far from where I need to be, praying to be closer.

Thank you for this awesome post and reminder challenge.

[Guest LadyC]

AW Tozer great writer of devotion and Christian living, wrote "The test of genuine Christian maturity is the greater desire and passion for holiness rather than personal happiness." As we have heard before, this is what separates the men from the boys and women from the girls. Much energy is spent struggling for personal happiness and asking God to grant it, pursuing Him only for the advantage of knowing Him. While the greatest blessings are found in serving Him and pursuing Him only in the interest of holiness. The Tozer challenge is very sobering and purifying. Where are you on this path?

Shalom,

Far from where I need to be, praying to be closer.

Thank you for this awesome post and reminder challenge.

well if it's any consolation, i think i've seen some real growth in you just in the last few weeks! maybe i took my blinders off, or maybe you took yours off, or maybe, just maybe, God used a situation to His glory which has allowed some growth in both of us... whatever it is, it's a beautiful thing!