"When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known." (1 Corinthians 13:11-12)
At first glance, Paul's words seem to fly in the face of what Jesus says in Matthew 18:2, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
If we are to become like children to enter into the kingdom of heaven, then how can Paul talk about giving up childish things? Luckily, these two statements are not really in conflict with each other. Jesus is talking about childlike faith that believes without seeing. Paul is talking about childlike immaturity and the inability to understand deeper meaning.
Paul's words criticize those in Corinth who were caught up in the Theology of Glory. They were concerned with showy spiritual gifts and trying to be Super-Christians. These are the kinds of things that Paul is referring to as childish, and in the end they will not last. As Christians, we live in the here and the now, by God revealing Himself to us in Scripture. While His revelation to us in Scripture is true, it is not fully complete. We believe in that which we do yet not see.
This is what Paul means when he speaks of seeing through a mirror dimly. We do not see the whole thing at the present time, but we will. Right now we only see a reflection. But when Jesus returns, we will see him face to face. This is also reflected in our liturgy, where Holy Communion is referred to as a, "...foretaste of the feast to come."
You do not yet know the fullness of God. God is seen most fully for us in the suffering of His Son, Jesus, on the Cross. But when Christ comes again, you will see Him in all His glory. Now you see sickness and death and believe in resurrection. One day you will see resurrection and there will be no more sickness or death. Now you only know in part, but then you will know fully. But even now, in Christ, you are fully known by God as one of his children.
"Jerusalem the Golden, With milk and honey blest, Beneath thy contemplation Sink heart and voice opprest. I know not, oh I know not, What joys await us there, What radiancy of glory, What bliss beyond compare." (TLH #613)
Daily Lectionary: Job 31:1-12, 33-40; St. John 9:24-41