Introduction:
Eph. 4-16 talks about Christian maturity-
• The resources in verses 1-12 (church, common faith, God's grace, Ministers and servants, faith in Christ)
• The purpose and results in verses 13-16 (Unity, maturity, protection against instability, growth, personal building up in love and fellowship)
When we are born again, we are like a new born babe, always dependent on parents for every thing. It is a joy to see a birth of a baby in the family and the excitement stays for some time. But every parent would want to see their baby grow from stage to stage. It is also true for spiritually new born. We need to grow up in Christian character and likeness of Christ. Christian life is ever growing and it never stops.
New born baby needs begins with feeding on mom's milk and slowly gets semi-solid food and after certain stage, parents feed the child with solid food. Similarly for a spiritually new born person, God's Word is like milk (complete food). A person begins with a basic understanding of God and Christian living initially. As we continue to grow, we need to deepen our understanding of the Bible. From there our journey begins towards Christian maturity. If the Word of God is not consumed on a daily basis, we can become week and backslide.
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.
2 Peter 3:18 “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
It is God’s will that every Christian becomes spiritually mature. 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.
1 Corinthians 3:2-3: “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?”
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.
The word in Greek for maturity or perfection here is ''teleiotes.'' It comes from the Greek word ''telos'' which means - to make perfect, to carry through completely, to accomplish, finish, bring to an end, to accomplish.
1. Essentials of Christian maturity:
a. God's Word- I Peter 2:2, I Corinthians 3:2
b. Prayer and fellowship with God- Ephesians 1:16-17, Colossians 1:9
c. Fellowship of God's people- Eph. 4:16, Hebrews 10:24-25
d. Living in Christ- Colossians 2:6-7. Accepting Christ for salvation is not enough. We need to be deeply rooted and built up in Him.
John 15:5- We can't bear fruit without abiding in Christ, or being strongly connected with Him.
2. Marks of Christian maturity:
a. A strong prayer life- Prayer leads to maturity
b. Growth of the Fruit of the Spirit- Galatians 5:22-23
c. Victorious Christian life-I Corinthians 15:57, I John 5:4-5- Mature Christian doesn’t live a defeated life.
d. Desire for God's glory and willingness to let go selfish motives- Romans 15:1-3, Phil. 1:20-21
e. Having a "Mind of Christ"- Phil. 2:5-8- Following the example of the sacrificial life of Christ
f. Walking by faith and not by sight- II Corinthians 5:7
g. Humility to accept own imperfection and limitation- John 1:27,
I Timothy 1:15,
h. Spirit of Forgiveness- Humility to ask forgiveness and grace in forgiving others- Eph. 4:32
i. Honest and modest self-assessment- Romans 12:3
j. Ability to control tongue and anger- James 1:19, 26
I Corinthians 13:5- Love doesn’t get angered easily
Conclusion:
Are you growing in Christian Maturity?
Is there any area in your life that slows down your growth?
