One of the signs that our children are growing up is when they start putting away their toys.
Little children leave their playthings scattered all around. Part of growing up is personal discipline and responsibility, as taught by their parents.
I Corinthians 13 (often referred to as the love chapter) is best known for the “faith, hope and love” that are supposed to define our lives as Christians.
It’s easy to overlook the discipline and responsibility part of verse 11 as being part of that Christian growth.
We say that we want to serve God with all of our heart. But, we leave the childish ways we’ve been “playing with” cluttering our life.
We understand the importance of love while continuing to play with the things of the world; the “toys” of envy and selfishness. (James 3:14-16)
The clutter we keep on the floor of our heart can hinder our relationship with the Lord. (Galatians 5:19-21)
No matter what childish ways we are allowing to come between us and maturing in Christ, we need to grow up to be responsible people in Jesus. It’s time to put our ‘toys’ away.
I Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.
Prayer: Father, help me to be mature in Christ. Show me the “toys” that I’ve been playing with so that I can put them away and serve you with all of my heart. I love you. Amen.
Scripture references:
James 3:14-16 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
Galatians 5:19-21 19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.