My son survived on milk alone for first six months of her life. And then, like the flip of a switch he began to notice something: mommy was putting a foreign object into his mouth. This was her entry into the wonderful and exciting world of solid foods—a sure and healthy sign that he was going from a totally dependent infant to an increasingly independent and (very hungry) child.
As I’ve watched this developmental process take place in all four of my children, I couldn’t help but be reminded of God’s call for us, as His children, to go from spiritual “infants” still needing milk, to mature spiritual adults ready and able to take in the “solid food” of His deeper truths (see Hebrews 5:12-13). See, God’s design was never that we stay the same. Stagnation was never in the eternal game plan. Rather, we are called to transform into His image “with ever-increasing glory,” which thankfully comes from Him, who is the Spirit (see 2 Corinthians 3:18). As the familiar saying goes, “God loves us too much to let us stay the same!”
If maturity is the goal, then what does it look like?
I am sure we have many of our own ideas and preconceived notions of what it means to be a “mature” or “immature” person. But they are often devoid of biblical insight and vision of that which constitutes true Christian spiritual maturity.
The Old and New Testaments are rich with texts describing the contours of spiritual maturity. Here are five central themes that may help paint for us a better picture of biblical maturity:
- Wholeness. The apostle Paul describes the goal of his ministry as that of presenting everyone whole and complete (mature) in Christ (Colossians 1:28). The idea of wholeness points to an undivided heart. Where might your heart be divided, seeking other things besides God and His plans for you?
- Endurance. Biblical maturity does not mean seeking to escape hardship and suffering, but it affirms we need endurance through it (see James 1:2-4 and Romans 5:3-4). The kind of endurance that leads to maturity, according to one author, includes “the growing capacity to experience disappointment and challenge with grace, courage and resolve.” What difficulty or trial are you facing now that calls for endurance?
- Intimacy with God. John records Jesus’ prayer that all who believe the Gospel may experience the same love He knew from the Father, that such intimate love “may be in them” (John 17:26). We also see scenes of Jesus himself sneaking away to spend time with His father to commune and connect personally and deeply. What practices might bring about greater intimacy between you and God in this season?
- Wisdom. Paul prays that the early believers would be able to “discern what is best” (Philippians 1:10). This desiring and seeking what is best according to God’s standard is biblical wisdom. And if we lack it we can ask for it (James 1:5)! In what area of your life are you needing more wisdom right now?
- Fruitfulness. A final theme of biblical spiritual maturity can be summarized as fruitfulness. The New Testament describes each member of the Body of Christ as gifted with something to contribute (see Ephesians 4:14-16). What are your unique and God-given gifts? Jesus has called each of us to “go and bear fruit—fruit that will last” (John 15:16).
After looking at these five components of biblical maturity, what do you think? Are you a spiritual infant or spiritual adult? Perhaps we are all somewhere in between. The good news is that we can always pray and ask God to help us to grow in spiritual maturity. He delights in our mere desire to develop and grow in our faith and character to become more like Him. It doesn’t happen over night, of course. But as we are faithful to walk hand in hand with Him each day, He will change us from the inside out.
What are you waiting for?