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The following is a transcribed Video Q&A, so the text may not read like an edited article would. Scroll to the bottom to view this video in its entirety.
When we think about what it means to be spiritually mature, I’m afraid that we sometimes use it with a sub-culture. And we designate certain things as spiritually mature. “He’s in professional full-time ministry, he must be spiritually mature. She has a 45-minute devotional time every day and never misses, she must be spiritually mature.” The Scripture gives us a different definition for spiritual maturity. And what the Scripture teaches us is that we become mature when we grow up into the image of Jesus Christ.
So, what the Scripture teaches us spiritual maturity looks like is what does Jesus look like. Are you exhibiting his fruits? Do you have love and joy and peace and goodness and long-suffering in your life? If you see those fruits flourishing you know the Holy Spirit is at work and you are headed toward maturity.
What Does Mature Mean?
For the context of this discussion, we will turn to the book of Philippians, specifically focusing on Phil. 3:15 – 4:3. The questions I will ask will all be taken from this portion of Scripture. Let’s start by looking at the first verse.
“All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you” (Philippians 3:15).
The word for mature here means complete in all its parts, full grown, of full age, or fully developed. The reference here is connected to the development of your Christian character. Looking at this verse closer leads to the first question.
To read more from this excerpt, see 5 Markers of Spiritual Maturity by Clarence Haynes.
Photo Credit: © Getty Images / B-C-Designs
Originally published Friday, 19 May 2017.
