A really, really short graduation speech...

“So what are you gonna do, When the world don't orbit around you…

Ain't it fun, Living in the real world…Don't go crying to your mama

'Cause you're on you're own, in the real world.”  Paramore

  This time of year podiums across our land often have famous graduation speakers who share little more than cultural drivel. Much of it’s the stuff of myth, some are outright lies. Graduates are told: You can be anything you want to be, just dream and work hard. Follow your heart, the people that don’t like you don’t matter anyway. These are the best years of your life. Your life begins now…”

  I’ve only been asked to give one graduation speech, yet, if I were giving one today, I think I could sum it up in five words: “It’s time to grow up!” That’s a message that not only this year’s graduates need; it’s a message American culture needs. Tragically and ironically, it’s a message we need in the Church of Jesus Christ.

  Thomas Bergler of Huntington University observes what’s been called “the juvenilization of American Christianity.” He writes, “Juvenilization is the process by which the religious beliefs, practices, and developmental characteristics of adolescents become accepted as appropriate for adults. It’s adults embracing immature versions of the faith.” It’s really not a new phenomena, just seemingly a much more predominant one.

  2,000 years ago, it was to the church which thought that it was the wisest, most mature and sophisticated that the Apostle Paul wrote, “I…could not address you as spiritual people, but as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready” (1 Cor. 3:1-2). It’s the malady of big, baby Christians. Are you one? How do we spot a Christian desperately needing to grow up? One that’s stuck in childish spiritual behavior? 

  Christians stuck in childish behavior are self-absorbed. What’s the predominant trait of a toddler. They’re focused on “me, myself and mine.” It’s what makes me happy. It’s my way, my toy, my seat by the window. It’s my Mommy (even if there are multiple siblings). Sadly, narcissism is epidemic in the Church today. We’re infected with self-absorption rather than self-sacrifice. Often we believe spiritual maturity is synonymous with Bible knowledge or even just being a Christian a long time. It’s not. Spiritual maturity is evidenced by a Christ-like heart and lifestyle.

  Jesus made Himself a servant, though He was the Sovereign. The typical American Christian either goes to church or goes looking for church with one criteria: What’s in it for me? That’s often accompanied by, What’s in it for my family? It’s guised under questions like: Do they have programs for my children? (Interestingly, the Bible never once mentions youth or children’s programs). Do they sing my music? Do I feel comfortable there? Are they meeting my needs? Are they like my ideal picture of church? (Not necessarily a biblical one).

  I can’t recall anyone ever coming to me, and I don’t know of any pastor who’s ever had this experience, where a believer came to church and said something like, “I believe God is leading me here so I can serve Jesus as part of this church family.” Instead, pastors and church leaders are to serve them and meet their perceived needs. It’s an immature Christianity that needs to grow up.

  Christians stuck in childish behavior whine. Toddlers whine. (It’s why naptime was invented J). They want a cookie. Don’t want to go to bed. If  they don’t get what they want, they whine. Immature Christians do the same. “Thank you” is missing from their heart and vocabulary. They’re spiritually flawed because praise and gratitude are absent in their soul.

  Yet, not only do they whine, often they up it with harsh criticism. Services are too long. The church is too cold…too hot…people aren’t friendly enough…they’re too friendly. Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

  Mature Christians are overwhelmingly grateful. They’re filled with gratitude because they realize a holy God not only has given them underserved mercy in withholding His judgment, He’s given them undeserved grace in making them part of His forever family with its inheritance and blessings.

  Are you a thankful believer? When was the last time you thanked our custodian for keeping our church clean? Or, those who make coffee for having it ready? Do you thank the worship team for their hours of preparation? How about a Sunday Morning Live teacher or youth leader?

  Christians stuck in childish behavior throw tantrums. All of us have felt empathy for the parent who’s tyke screams or throws themselves on the floor, kicking and hitting it with their tiny fists. While most Christians don’t throw themselves on the floor, I’ve seen some who came pretty close to that. Some actually scream. Most just complain, criticize and sow discord behind the scenes. They often don’t realize little ears are listening and are later shocked when their now adult children want little to do with church. The church was ripped down in front of them though during their formative years, and they remember. The bill has come due.

  Mature Christians problem-solve. They realize they themselves probably need to grow and potentially so do their other family members in Christ. Yet, if there’s never a humble dialogue and attempt to problem-solve, spiritual growth is stunted.

  Christians stuck in childish behavior tend to be passive/aggressive. Usually, when they’re ticked off about something at church, they first stop giving. They miss that if they were giving to the “church,” they’re ignorant of biblical giving. We give as an act of worship to Christ, not a church. Then, they start pulling back on involvement and become sporadic in their attendance. Like a divorcee who fails to solve the core issue, they frequently will repeat the same cycle in their next church and the one after that and the one after that.

  Our Heavenly Father is looking for men and women of faith, not tykes. That’s because we have been given an adult mission, the greatest responsibility, sharing the Gospel. It’s the only hope our world has. It’s what Jesus the One who gave His life for us commands us to do (Matt. 28:19-20). And that’s the worst problem with a baby Christian, they don’t  share and don’t even care. “It’s time to grow up!”

  Friend, please look in the mirror of God’s Word (James 1:23-25). Let it spur you on to spiritual maturity, to grow up in your faith. Jesus needs adults, mature in the faith to fulfill the mission. Can He count on you?