Paul writes: "to all the beloved of God... called to be saints." He does not say only "called to believe" or "called to attend," but called to be saints, that is, to become more and more like Christ. Holiness is not a title for a few, but the destiny of every child of God. And this holiness is not just about stopping doing bad things, but about growing in spiritual maturity. Maturity means that our faith stops being childish and superficial to become firm, stable, and deep in the Lord. Therefore, where God sees a beloved child, He also sees someone called to grow in holiness and maturity, sustained by His grace and peace.
Spiritual maturity is evident in that we are no longer "carried away by every doctrine" or by any fleeting emotion. A mature heart does not decide based on the impulse of the moment, but according to the Word of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It does not look at everything only with human eyes, but seeks to see reality from Christ's perspective. This implies learning to examine what we hear, what we feel, and what we think, in light of the Bible. When we grow in holiness, we stop being unstable and begin to walk with a sober, prudent, and wise faith. Thus, our life stops being a spiritual roller coaster and becomes a firm path, even if it is sometimes narrow.
Being holy also has to do with being sincere and honest with oneself before God. Spiritual maturity is not pretended; it is cultivated in the presence of Christ, recognizing our struggles and sins without masks. Living in integrity means that what we are in public and in private is consistent, that we do not play at being spiritual, but seek to please the Lord in secret. It involves responsibility: taking ownership of our decisions, asking for forgiveness when we fail, and repairing, as much as possible, the damage caused. God does not seek perfection without human flaws, but hearts that allow themselves to be corrected and shaped by Him. In this school of holiness, the Holy Spirit guides us patiently, step by step.
The good news is that this call to holiness begins with "grace and peace" from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We do not mature in our own strength; we mature sustained by the grace that forgives us, lifts us up, and teaches us to live in a new way. You can start today with small decisions: being more responsible in your work or studies, more integral in what you say, more honest in your prayer, more prudent before reacting. Christ does not invite you to an unattainable ideal, but to a real process where He Himself walks with you. Do not be discouraged if you see weakness in yourself; that is precisely the place where His grace is perfected. Keep moving forward, trusting that He who called you to be holy will also give you everything necessary to grow to maturity in Him.