Maturity, spiritual

Christ likeness as the goal and model for spiritual maturity

Ephesians 4:13–15 NKJV

till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—

See also Col 2:6–7; Heb 12:2

Marks of spiritual maturity

Spiritual understanding

Colossians 2:2 NKJV

that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,

See also Ro 15:14; 1 Co 2:6; 1 Co 14:20; Eph 1:17–18; Heb 5:12–6:1

Discernment of God’s will and changed behaviour

Colossians 1:9–10 NKJV

For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

See also Ro 12:2; 1 Co 3:1–3; Ga 5:22–23; Eph 4:22–23; Php 1:9–11; 2 Th 1:3

Stability

Colossians 4:12 NKJV

Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

See also Eph 4:14; 2 Pe 3:17–18

Care for the weaker brother

Romans 15:1 NKJV

We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

See also Ga 6:1–2

Maturity is to be the aim of the Christian

Philippians 3:13–15 NKJV

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.

See also Lk 8:14 a reason for spiritual immaturity; 2 Co 7:1; 2 Co 13:11; 1 Ti 6:11

The process of maturity

God causes spiritual growth

Philippians 1:6 NKJV

being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

See also Ga 3:3; Heb 10:14

Possessing gifts of ministry

Ephesians 4:11–13 NKJV

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

See also Ro 1:11

Being equipped by the word of God

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NKJV

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

See also Ro 15:4; 1 Pe 2:2; 1 Jn 2:5

Persevering through trials

Romans 5:3–5 NKJV

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

See also Heb 2:10; Jas 1:3–4; 1 Pe 5:10

The concern of the pastor is to help others to maturity

Colossians 1:28–29 NKJV

Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

See also 2 Co 13:9–10; Ga 4:19