"Maturity is defined by the
quality of our celebration in oppositional circumstances. I think rejoicing is
designed to give us an experience of God’s joy especially when we are in a time
of difficulty" (Graham Cooke). Rejoicing in the Lord produces His joy and
peace. How quickly we recover our joy and peace during times of adversity
declares our spiritual maturity. Saints, this is by no means easy. The
perpetrators or messengers of bad are often the very same people we are called
to love and share the life of Christ with, people in our church, workplace and
community. True love must, of necessity, include absolute, no strings attached
forgiveness, the love demonstrated by our Lord on the cross: “Father, forgive
them, for they do not know what they do.” The same is true today of the
people-pawns the powers of darkness use to come against the children of God –
“They do not know what they do”, for they are blinded and deceived by the
prince of this world.
“Count
it all joy” is in the Greek aorist imperative, a command that must be practiced
to become a discipline of life in the Spirit. To “count” (Gk., hegeomai) is to
view, regard, esteem, reckon, to lead the mind by considering it so
disregarding circumstances. When we rejoice in adversity God’s love is lavishly
poured into our heart by the Holy Spirit, enabling an out flowing of that same
forgiving love to those living in darkness all around us.
SPIRITUAL MATURITY IS DEFINED
BY THE QUALITY OF OUR CELEBRATION...
(James 1:2-4; Rom. 5:3-5)
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