Christian Maturity

A fellow minister asked me what I thought was the greatest threat to unity in the body of Christ. Without hesitation, I responded, spiritual maturity.
 
I am absolutely convinced that carnal immaturity is the chief enemy of unity in the church. Immature Christians disrupt and divide churches more than any other factor in the body of Christ.
 
Sin in the church is the fruit of spiritual immaturity.
 
Self-centered, flesh-driven, immature character and conduct within Christ’s ranks keeps the church in a continual state of confusion, conflict, and chaos that Satan applauds. Worst of all, spiritually immature believers, who are hung up on themselves and their needs, hinder our progress in fulfilling the Great Commission to reach multitudes of lost and hurting people outside the four walls of our Christian fellowships (Matthew 28:18-20).
 
According to Webster mature means “having completed natural growth and development, having attained a final or desired state, a state of full development, ripe.”
 
In Ephesians 4:13 Paul speaks of the mature person in Christ.
 
“Until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.”    
 
The “mature man” Paul alludes to is the one who is fully developed in his spiritual life. He or she is spiritually ripe, having attained the desired state of being like the Lord Jesus Christ. Ripeness is determined by likeness to Christ.
 

• Christlikeness is the ultimate mark of Christian maturity.

 
How interesting it is how you and I think we are mature and everyone else is immature! I mean, come on, you and I get caught in the trap of thinking we are so grown up while others need to grow up. Pretty naïve and arrogant huh?
 
Ø  If we think we have arrived and are fully mature in Christ, we need to back up the faith train and think again! Making that statement shows we are not as mature as we think we are!
 

• Maturity is my personal responsibility. A mark of maturity is to take responsibility for our own lives and let God work on others. I am responsible for me. You are responsible for thee!

 
Please note Paul talks about “the unity of the faith,” and “knowledge of the Son of God.”  The desired end of unity of faith and knowledge of Jesus is “a mature man.” That spiritually mature man or woman will measure up to Christ. His fullness (the quality of His perfect life) will be seen in them.
 
Note again, all of us are to strive for, go after, a style of living until we attain/achieve God’s standard of maturity: being like His Son Jesus Christ. Believers are ripe for God when they stand tall, fully developed in the spirit and likeness of Jesus.
 

• Christian maturity is an ongoing, lifelong process of becoming increasingly like Christ.

 
May I take the liberty of listing ten characteristics of Christian maturity we should all be striving for? Thank you for your permission!   
 

• OVERLOOKS OFFENSE

      Is not easily offended and does not take offense. Matthew 18:17, Proverbs 18:19, Proverbs 19:11.
 

• SLOW TO ANGER   

      Does not allow anger to rule is emotions.  James 1:19-20, Ecclesiastes 7:9,            Proverbs 16:32
 

• DISCERN GOOD AND EVIL

      Seasoned and spiritually wise. Hebrews 5:14, Isaiah 11:3, I Corinthians 2:14
 

• READY TO FORGIVE   

      Forgives others as he has been forgiven. Ephesians 4:31-32, Mark 11:25-26,         Colossians 3:12-14.
 

• SPEAKS HIGHLY OF OTHERS  

      Takes the high road in relationships.  James 4:11, Matthew 7:12. I Peter 2:1
 

• DOES NOT JUDGE 

      Does not pass judgment on others.  Matthew 7:1-5, Romans 2:1, Romans 14:13,    James 4:12
 

• HUMBLE SPIRIT AND ATTITUDE  

      Serves others with a humble, self-sacrificing servant’s heart after the example of   Jesus. Philippians 2:3-11, I Peter 5:5-6
 

• HOLDS HIS TONGUE

      Watches his words. James 3, James 1:26, I Peter 3:10, Proverbs 21:23,
      Proverbs 18:21
 
 

• SELF CONTROL

      Disciplines every area of life. Galatians 5:22-23, I Corinthians 9:24-27
 

• ADVANCES THROUGH ADVERSITY

      Turns trials into triumphs. Finds God’s treasure in life’s trials. James 1:2-4, 12,
       I Peter 1:6-9, 4:12-13.
 
Ø  Imagine what the body of Christ would look like if we all grew up and practiced these marks of maturity. I vote for it!!!
 

• Spiritual growth is measured by maturity in Christ.

 
Ø  How is your life measuring up to the life of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?
Ø  Is there some room in your spirit and heart for maturity?
 
There certainly is in mine. With God’s help through His Word and the Holy Spirit, and the assistance of godly people, I purpose to strive each day to grow up, mature, and be more like the Lord of my life.
 
Let’s grow up folks and win the world to Christ!
 
“For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness for he is a babe. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.”                                           Hebrews 5:13-14
 
A Word For Your Week: Make it your life goal to be mature like Jesus Christ