am very honored to share this
Luke 2:52(NKJV)
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
The Lord caused me to think about this and it gave me great insight.
Growing old is increasing in stature. It is a natural phenomenon and it will happen whether we like it or not.
It happens on an logarithmic growth curve, and what this simply means is that it increases at a decreasing rate eventually stops to happen. Growing old is governed by nature's laws and is therefore limited. It stops at natural death.
Then we have growing up. Growing up is increasing in wisdom. It is a spiritual phenomenon and it doesn't always happen. It only happens in "conducive spiritual environments".
It happens on an exponential curve. This also simply means that it increases at an increasing rate and never stops as long as the person is spiritually alive (the only way to be alive is to be in Christ- in Him we live, we move and we have our being). Growing up is goverened by the law of the Spirit and is therefore not limited. It however stops at spiritual death that comes due to sin.
Unfortunately, it is possible for someone to grow old and NOT grow up! It is a sad affair, but even then more common than we realise. It can be very frustrating for anyone that comes into contact with such a person.
For example, Paul became very frustrated.
Hebrews 5:12 (NIV)
In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!
Growing up is completely inhibited by spiritual conditions like not having a sane mind, wordlessness, worldliness and sin, etc
For you to gain favour with people as you grow up, you have to increase in knowledge (information) and worldly wisdom. People find foolishness very unpleasant.
To gain favour with God as you grow up, you have to increase in Godly wisdom. God is not delighted by fools either.
Wisdom attracts favour. That is a kingdom principle. A principle means a series of events that follow a law, therefore when a law is fulfilled, it triggers the beginning of another event. Principles are not religious. Whoever fulfils them automatically reaps of their reward thereof.
How Jesus grew must teach us the footprints we follow to be like him. And that is what we strive for.
So, now please slowly re read this verse with revelation:
Luke 2:52(NKJV)
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.