Graduations are even present in the workplace—we usually call them promotions. When a worker proves his ability to efficiently and accurately perform a task, he is then assigned a new job with greater responsibility and higher pay. We would say “he moved up,” which is exactly what it means to “graduate.”

We need to be graduating in our spiritual lives too. Unfortunately, we sometimes fail to understand how simple concepts apply within spiritual contexts. It is obvious that children should develop as they grow older. Parents get worried when a child is not progressing in school like he should. Tutors are hired and even doctor’s visits begin. Immediate action is taken to fix the problem. We don’t always act this way when it concerns spiritual matters. I have never understood parents who punish their child for getting “C’s” in school, but ignore the fact that he can’t seem to get his lesson done for Bible class. Isn’t there a problem with that? As Christians, we need to place greater value on spiritual progress than academic. After all, what good is a 4.0 GPA if you fail to develop a relationship with God?

James’ mirror illustration is a perfect example of mans’ tendency to place more importance on the physical than on the spiritual (James 1:23-25). Few people ignore obvious problems with their physical appearance, but then take no thought of their unkempt spiritual condition. How many Christians are, and have been for years, “dull of hearing,” like the Hebrew Christians (Heb. 5:11). How many of us are stuck on the “elementary principles of Christ” (Heb. 6:1)? The Hebrew Christians certainly didn’t see a problem with their complacency. They didn’t even realize their lack of progress until the Hebrew writer pointed it out to them. Quoting the books of the Bible, Genesis 1:1 and John 3:16 are huge accomplishments for a 3 or 4 year old. How much spiritual growth has occurred in your life since you were 4? We need to raise our standards a bit.

Interestingly enough, it seems that some adults have more trouble than children with spiritual growth. We maintain children’s classes all the way up through high school. At certain ages the children “graduate” from one age group to another. This provides a natural sense of accomplishment. Besides that, children’s teachers regularly use Bible games to encourage their students to gain better Bible knowledge. Of course, this all stops when we move up to the adult class, and it seems that some think their spiritual progress can stop too. Really it should be the opposite. Graduating to the Adult class means you should have developed the spiritual “know how” to study individually, and prepare yourself to benefit from class discussion. When I feel like I’m not getting much out of Bible class, it is usually because I’m not putting enough personal time into it. Let me make an observation: You won’t know what the teacher is talking about or get much out of class when you haven’t read the chapter or even skimmed over the material. We each need to do our part. No one else can grow for us.

I’m not advocating some sort of spiritual graduation ceremony for adults, but it is important that we experience spiritual progress. If we haven’t solved any of the issues that plagued us last year, what spiritual goals have been reached? Spiritual growth is more difficult to measure than academic learning, but it is foolish to think that others will not notice the state of our spiritual maturity. Paul told Timothy, “meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all” (1 Tim. 4:15). If we are growing in Christ it will effect the way we speak and act, the way we treat people, our relationship with God, and our desire for purity and righteousness. Paul told Timothy to “be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” Living this way gives no place for anyone to “despise your youth” (1 Tim. 4:12). Living this way makes your “progress…evident to all.” People will notice the changes you are making. But, more importantly, God will notice them, too (Heb. 4:13).

We need to be continually growing so that we are prepared for the final day of graduation (1 Tim. 4:7-8). When the Lord appears it will be a day of judgment for those who have failed to comply with the Lord’s requirements. But for those who completed the Christian course, His appearing will be a day of great celebration. The righteous will finally be eternally rewarded for their deeds. They will be handed the crown of righteousness, and step from this life to the next.

I can’t wait to graduate. How about you?