Maturity in Christ

It is the Father's good plan for His children to grow toward maturity in Christ.

 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; (Ro 8:29, NASB95)

 We start out as infants in Christ, but over time, as we walk in the Spirit and are fed on the Word of God we progressively become more like Jesus.  There are many benefits as we grow.  We develop spiritual character as we walk by faith….

 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Gal 5:22-23)

 But some seem to get stuck at an infantile stage. In writing to the Corinthian church, the Apostle Paul calls them "infants in Christ. It seems that there were still in need of "milk to drink, not solid food".

 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ.  I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? (1 Cor 3:1-3)

 The Corinthian Christians were demonstrating a fleshly lifestyle characterized as "walking like mere men".  They were full of jealousy and strife.  They were NOT demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit.  When comparing these spiritual infants to the mature, he says…

 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ. ( 1 Cor 2:15-16)

The mature Christian, who feeds on the solid food of the Word of God and walks in the power of the Spirit, has the "mind of Christ".  They begin to think, reason, and assess things from God's point of view.  Of them Paul says, "he who is spiritual appraises all things".  So, what does he mean by this?

When a person appraises something, they can attribute relative value to it.  In other words. They can see what is truly important in life, and what is less important.  They have the discernment to know the difference.  They can perceive the good and the bad, the holy and the profane.  This is the mind of Christ.

 Interesting enough, the writer of Hebrews picks up on this same theme in Hebrews chapter 5:

Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. (Heb 5:11-14)

In this passage we see the importance of the Word of God- specifically the solid food which is for the mature.  This type of spiritual food goes beyond the elementary teaching appropriate for the spiritual babes.  And notice how mature Christians are to approach this solid food.  It involves practice and training.  Some take a very casual attitude to their exposure to God's Word.  Occasionally they read the Scriptures.  They may rely on sermons or podcasts to get their spiritual nourishment. They base their theology and biblical understanding on what OTHERS TELL THEM rather on what they dig out of the Word in their time of study.  This is a big mistake. 

When Hebrews 5:14 talks of practice and training it reminds us of other exhortations:

But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (1 Tim 4:7-8)

 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. (2 Tim 2:15)

 So, we can see that the mature Christian takes a much more serious approach to God's Word than the infant.  And there are great results!  According to Hebrews 5:14, one huge result is that the mature Christian has their senses trained to discern good and evil.  We should be careful not to overlook this.  How important is it?  Who needs this type of discernment?

1. Any parent who wants to effectively raise their children.

1. Parents must distinguish between harmless childhood actions and those needing discipline. (Prov 22:6)
2. We must be mature enough to recognize what is biblical and what may be personal preferences. (1 Cor 10:23)

2. Anyone serving in a leadership position at their church or local ministry.

1. Encouraging or correcting others takes wisdom and discernment. Not every person should be handled the same way. ( Ro 15:14)
2. Setting goals and direction for the ministry also requires discernment.   Good is often the enemy of the best. (Ac 20:28-30)

3. Anyone serious about their own walk with Christ.

1. We must make decisions about personal habits and lifestyle issues. (Rom 14:22)
2. We must be mature enough to discern between performance and grace in our walk with Christ. (Gal 3:1-3)

Now we must say that growth toward maturity is ultimately never for the one growing, but rather for the benefit of others, for the Body of Christ.  Yes, we experience many benefits, but they eventually are used to honor Christ and serve His Body.

 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of 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. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.  (Eph 4:11-16))

How about you?

·         Are you serious about growth in Christ?

·         Are you willing to put in more effort to your study of God’s Word?

·         Who are the loved ones that will benefit the most from your growth?

I wish you all God’s richest blessings as you continue to partake of the solid food of God’s Word.

All passages in this post are taken from New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995).