Five Marks Of A Spiritually Mature Christian
Without a doubt the biggest problem that we have in the church today is that of spiritual maturity. We get ourselves into all kinds of problems by saying immature things, by making immature decisions, by acting in immature ways. We need to become spiritually mature. We need to grow up. Second Peter chapter three verse eighteen tells us to:
“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 3:18 (NASV)
Did you know that it is God’s will that every Christian becomes spiritually mature? It’s true! God wants us all to grow to spiritual maturity. In fact Paul scolds the Corinthian church for their lack of maturity. He treats them as if they are babies in Christ. Look at what the Bible says in First Corinthians chapter three:
“I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?” 1 Corinthians 3:2-3 (NKJV)
Paul tells them to grow up! God wants them to grow up – because spiritual immaturity causes all kinds of problems. God’s will for your life is spiritual maturity. One of the purposes of the church is to help you grow to spiritual maturity. What is spiritual maturity – let me start by telling you what it is not:
A. Spiritual maturity is not a matter of AGE.
Let me say up front – spiritual maturity does take time. It takes energy and it takes effort. No one becomes spiritually mature overnight. Even Jesus grew – as he grew up. Look at what the Bible says in Luke chapter two:
“Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Luke 2:52 (NKJV)
But, (here is the warning), you can get older and not grow to spiritual maturity. It’s like the bumper sticker that says, “I may be getting older, but I refuse to grow up.” Some Christians refuse to grow up. I’ve seen 50 and 60 year old spiritual babies. Spiritual maturity involves much more than just the aging process.
B. Spiritual maturity is not a matter of APPEARANCE.
Some people can look and sound spiritually mature – they know how to talk the talk – but question is – do they know how to walk the walk? Some people look holy – they seem to have heaven hovering around them – but that may just be appearance and not reality. Appearances can be deceiving. You know the saying – “you can’t judge a book by its cover.” Spiritual maturity is not a matter of what a person looks or sounds like on the outside – it is a matter of what has taken place on the inside. God is in the process of transforming us into the image of His Son.
C. Spiritual maturity is not a matter of ACHIEVEMENT.
You know you can be recognized by all kinds of organizations but that does not make you spiritually mature. You can have all kinds of degrees and diplomas hanging on your wall but that is not spiritually mature either. Achievements are not a sure sign of spiritual maturity.
Spiritual maturity is a matter of CHARACTER.
Character makes a difference. It’s character that counts. D. L. Moody said, “Character is what you are in the dark.” Recognition is what people say about you. Character is what God knows about you. God says it’s your character that determines who you are. Today I want to give you five marks of what it means to grow to spiritual maturity. Let’s look at the first mark:
1. A spiritual mature person is positive under PRESSURE.
Let’s look and see what James tells us in chapter one:
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4 (NKJV)
Do you seek spiritual maturity? Do you seek to be complete in Christ? If you do – James tells us to have a positive attitude when it comes to pressure. He tells us to “count it all joy when you fall into various trials.”
All of us have problems in this life – all of us have trials – all of us have situations that are not good. How do you handle them? How do you deal with being dealt a dead hand? Do your problems blow you out of the water? Do you get up-tight? Do you grumble and gripe? Do you get negative or nervous? The first test of spiritual maturity is – how do you act positive under pressure? Remember the Bible says: “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials.”
Folks here is a fact.
Life is full of problems and a big part of life is – problem solving.
The question to ask is, “Do I have the right attitude as I approach the problems of life?” Remember the Bible tells you to, “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials.”
You can know the Bible backward and forward – but you can also be rude, crude and obnoxious as well. What is your attitude toward life? What is your character when everything is falling apart? A spiritual mature person is positive under pressure.
Point two is:
2. A spiritual mature person is sensitive to the needs of other PEOPLE.
Follow along with me as I read from First John chapter three:
“Whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?” 1 John 3:17 (NASV)
A spiritually mature person is sensitive to the needs of those who are around them. A spiritually mature person doesn’t just look out for their own needs – they are also aware of the needs of others. They understand that there are many around them that are hurting and have needs.
When children are young they say, “I want this or I want that. I don’t care about what you want – I want … I want … I want … and I should get my way.” Spiritually immaturity says, “It’s my way or the highway. I want it all – give it to me.”
God tells us that spiritual maturity is about love and being concerned about other people. This is a sign of spiritual maturity. Don’t show favoritism, don’t be a snob, don’t be rude, don’t look down on other people, don’t judge by appearances, don’t insult people, and don’t exploit people. You see the second test of spirituality maturity is how I treat other people.
Paul said – “I can build churches, I can write theological articles, I can put out Christian CDs, I can give all my money for international mission work – but if I don’t have love – all I’m doing to tooting my own horn. It really doesn’t amount to much – in fact it is worth nothing.” You see the second test of spirituality maturity is how I treat other people.
The third mark is:
3. A spiritual mature person is a PEACEMAKER not a troublemaker.
Jesus said:
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9 (NASV)
James tells us:
“Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves.” James 4:1 (MSG)
James is talking about conflicts and quarrels. He says that we fuss, fight, and fume because of our own inner desires. You want something and you don’t get it – so you get mad instead. When you get mad you take it out on others. You kill and covet but you still don’t get what you want.
The questions to ask are: ‘Am I a peacemaker or am I a troublemaker? Do I like to argue? Do I like to debate? Do I like to stir the pot? Do I hurt other people’s feelings? Am I a peacemaker or am I a troublemaker?’ The mark of a spiritually mature person is the lack of conflict in their life. Look at what the Bible tells us in First Thessalonians chapter four:
“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands.” First Thessalonians 4:11 (NASV)
What is your ambition in life? Is your ambition to be on top of hill – ahead of the crowd? Was that Jesus ambition? Romans chapter twelve verse eighteen tells us to:
“Do your best to live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18 (CEV)
I understand that you can’t always live at peace with everyone – but you are to give it your best effort. Being a peacemaker is the third test of being spiritually mature.
Our fourth mark is:
4. A spiritual mature person is PATIENT.
James tells us:
“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” James 5:7-8 (ESV)
Patience is another mark of spiritual maturity. The word ‘patient’ is used three times in these two verses – that tells me that being patient is important. Being patient is a quality of character.
James gives an illustration of a farmer who plants his fields and now has to wait for the harvest. If there is anyone who has patience it’s a farmer. He plants the seed, he cultivates, he sprays, he hopes, he expects… he waits. There are no overnight crops. Just like a farmer – sometimes we have to wait. We wait on God to answer our prayers. We wait for a miracle. We wait for God to move in our lives. We wait. Patience is a mark of maturity. The only way to learn patience is by waiting.
Many times God says, “Not yet.” That does not mean no – it means - not yet. We need to wait. We need to be patient. Look at what the Psalmist tells us in Psalm twenty seven:
“Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.” Psalm 27:14 (NASV)
You see patience is the fourth mark of spiritual maturity.
The fifth mark of spiritual maturity is:
5. A spiritual mature person is PRAYERFUL.
Paul tells us:
“Pray without ceasing.” First Thessalonians 5:17 (NASV)
When things are going good – pray. When things are going bad – pray. In all things - pray.
James says:
“The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with.” James 5:16 (MSG)
Prayer is talking to God. It is bringing Him your requests. It is praising Him. It is petitioning Him. When we pray we acknowledge that He has control in our lives.
There is a story in the Old Testament about a man named Elijah. Elijah prayed that it would not rain and God stopped the rain for three years. Elijah prayed again and the heavens opened up. Elijah did not manipulate God – but he acknowledged Him and believed that God controlled the elements of nature.
You see those who are spiritually mature – understand the power of God. There are things in your life right now that you think – no one can fix. Guess what – God can. God can take that which is broken and mend it. He can take that which is bent and straighten it out. He can take that which is shattered and make it whole. God is that big. God is that powerful. If there are problems in your life – go to Him in prayer.
How do you handle your problems? Are you positive under pressure? Are you sensitive to the needs of others around you? Are you a peacemaker rather than a troublemaker? Are you patient and are you prayerful? These are all marks of a spiritually mature Christian – commit yourself today – to growth as a Christian.
(This is the reworking of a sermon I did as an introduction to a series – “Living Life Wisely” - it now has been developed into a stand alone sermon. Special thanks to Richard Warren for his sermon “The Marks of a Mature Person” which inspired this sermon.)
