Can you define what it means to be a “mature” person? It is probably one of those things you can picture in your head, but may have a difficult time articulating. It is often one of those “I’ll know it when I see it” kind of things.
Here is an even harder one. Can you define what it means to be “spiritually mature”? You may have people that pop in your head that you think of as spiritually mature, but why them? What is it about them that makes you consider them spiritually mature?
How about you? As you run the Christian race, what is the finish line you are running toward? How do you know you are growing more mature in your faith?
According to the latest George Barna research, many Christians and Christian leaders struggle to define just what it means to be spiritually mature. If we cannot define it, we certainly cannot achieve it.
Starting next week, I’m going to be covering what I believe to be the markers and prize of Christian spiritual maturity. To prepare for that, I’d appreciate two things from you THIS week:
- Give me your feedback on how YOU would define Christian maturity. Either leave a comment to this post, or send me an email directly at tom@gracepoint.cc.
- Encourage someone you know to subscribe to this blog before next week. Maybe it is a friend, coworker, neighbor or family member. Think of someone that may benefit from the discussion and send them the www.runinsuchaway.com link and point out the “Subscribe to this Blog” link in the upper right-hand corner.
Have a blessed week!
I’m someone who “talks their way to a conclusion” so, this definition has the possibility of changing:) BUT, I used to think that being “mature” meant growing up, doing things, having more knowledge, more experience, making good choices, almost “proving” yourself…but, I’m not sure that that is how I would define maturity anymore…I don’t think it’s saying the right thing, having the right amount of quiet time, knowing all the right verses to spout out…
I think being spiritually mature requires you to have a right understanding of WHO YOU are in relation to who CHRIST IS! In that realization you obviously grow in knowledge from scripture and prayer…but I don’t think that itself makes you mature…perhaps it’s more centered on the relationship itself…??
okay…enough for now…thanks for posting!
I think of Christian maturity as the pursuit of living life from God’s perspective, and less of mine. “More of Him, and less of me”.
Just as a child would mature into his father’s likeness, so too a young christian spiritually matures into our heavenly father’s likeness.
Ephesians 5:1 “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children”