Throughout our lives, we're all graduating from one "hood" to another.
- Person-hood (conception-death): is achieved as soon as we are conceived and we're completely dependent on our mother's love, care and protection in accordance with God's word (Ps 127:3; Prov 6:16-19);
- Infant-hood (birth-2 years): is achieved when God decides we're ready to live outside of our mother's wombs, where we require our parents to provide all the love, food, protection and care necessary for us to thrive physically and spiritually (Deut 6:4-9);
- Toddler-hood (2-5 years): is achieved when we move from our mother's milk, to eating solid food, from crawling to walking, from crying to using words as a form of communication—this is the time when we first begin to understand the Ten Commandments and godly teaching our parents provide, in the hopes that one day, we too may know Christ and be known by Him (Philippians 3:8-9);
- Child-hood (5-12 years): is achieved when we're able to participate in formal education and learn to consider others better than ourselves (Philippians 2:3)—begin hiding God's word in our hearts that we might not sin against Him, and learn the fundamentals of Christianity with the ability to begin working out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12-14);
- Young adult-hood (12-18 years): is achieved when we've graduated high school and are able to move onto higher forms of education, learning and maturing both before the sight on man and God (Luke 2:42, 52; Eph 4:11-15—more firmly understanding who we are in Christ, we pursue to live with excellence and holiness unto the Lord.
- Adult-hood (18 years-death): is achieved when we have learned to take responsibility for ourselves and are able to be responsible for at least, one other person—continuing to mature as we faithfully bear the fruit of repentance and bear good fruit in the name of Christ, growing in the grace and knowledge of Him who alone is the Savior for all mankind (Acts 4:11-12; Col 1:9-14).
Regardless of which "hood" you're currently living in, moving to, or graduating from, as dearly beloved children of the Most High God, we're commanded and empowered to live our lives with excellence.
"Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."~Colossians 3:22-24
The Greek words used for "heartily" in Colossians 3:23 is: ἐκ ψυχῆς (transiliterated: ek psuché) with "ek" meaning: coming from abundance or exceedingly above and "psuché" defined as: heart, mind, soul; in essence, the whole being of a person.
So then, we see clearly that every Christian is not only commanded, but also fully equipped (2 Peter 1:3) by God to do everything, whether scrubbing toilets, doing homework, or manning a space shuttle; with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.
If we are truly converted by the Gospel of Jesus and have been made into a new creation, our new life in Christ is confirmed by a growing desire to please the Father over self, and a hunger and thirst for the righteousness of God rather than trying to maintain, or protect our self-righteousness.
If we are truly converted by the Gospel of Jesus and have been made into a new creation, our new life in Christ is confirmed by a growing desire to please the Father over self, and a hunger and thirst for the righteousness of God rather than trying to maintain, or protect our self-righteousness.
Therefore, don't be satisfied with mediocrity like the rest of this world, rather, diligently seek to mature in your faith. Continually grow, graduate and move on from child-hood to adult-hood by fervently pursuing God's peace, joy and love in every aspect and relationship of your life.
"Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you."~Philippians 3:12-15
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