We’ve found a lot of different ways to measure spiritual formation over the years.
-church attendance
-clean language
-dressing the part
-paying for indulgences
-memorizing Scripture
-serving in the church
There is obviously nothing inherently wrong with any of these things in and of themselves. A matter of fact some of them may be foundational for spiritual formation, but not the way in which we should measure it. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of believing one can somehow measure their spiritual maturity by checking off how many of the “do’s” have been performed and how many of the “don’ts” have been avoided. However, real spiritual formation isn’t evaluated by how well we perform a list of tasks on a check-off list. Jesus said…
John 13:35 35 “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Matthew 22: 36″Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
In other words Jesus said, spiritual maturity is measured in the context of relationships. Are you interested in how you’re doing at having Christ formed in your life? Then take at look at how you’re loving God and loving people.
Leave a Reply