MARKS OF MATURITY

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. With respect to advancement and development, there are two
      classes of Christians--the mature and immature.
      1. One is either mature or immature, or somewhere in between.
   B. Some are immature by reason of time (they are novices or new
      converts); others are immature by reason of failure (through
      neglect or indifference they have failed to grow).
   C. The word "perfect" as found in the N.T. means, "having reached
      its end, finished, complete. It is used (I) of persons, (a)    
      primarily of physical development, then, with ethical import,  
      fully grown, mature..; (II) of things, complete,               
      perfect...referring to the complete revelation of God's will   
      and ways..." (Vine)
      1. Here are a few examples of how the word is used: Col. 1:28;
         4:12; 1 Cor. 13:9-10; James 1:25.
   D. All of us would like to be thought of as mature Christians.    
      There could be no better compliment than for someone to say,   
      "He is a mature Christian."
      1. God's view of us is what really counts.
      2. Let us study the marks of a mature Christian so that we
         might be such ourselves.

I. A MATURE CHRISTIAN IS ABLE TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL.  
    Heb. 5:11-6:1
   A. He exercises his senses upon the word of God. 
      1. It is the Scripture that make the man of God perfect. 2 Tim.
         3:16-17
   B. Through diligent study, when issues arise, he can make         
      decisions.
      1. Some show their immaturity when they are not able to
         decide.
      2. We often hear people say, "I don't see any difference
         between the two churches," when there are definite
         important issues involved.
      3. Indeed, one's eternal destiny can be involved and the weak
         and immature will not be able to see it.

II. A MATURE CHRISTIAN STRIVES TO PLEASE HIS MASTER. Luke 6:40
   A. Jesus always did those things which pleased the Father. John   
      8:29
      1. We should not seek to please ourselves, but the Lord. 2 Tim.
         2:4
      2. We should not seek to please other men, but the Lord. Gal.
         1:10
         a. We should always seek to be an asset to the cause of the
            Lord wherever we might be. 
            (1) Illustration: Should a young couple become a part of 
                a large thriving church, or go to a small struggling 
                church where they are truly needed?

III. A MATURE CHRISTIAN IS NOT EASILY CARRIED AWAY BY FALSE DOCTRINE.
   Eph. 4:11-15
   A. He knows and loves the truth and is not easily deceived or
      beguiled.
      1. He doesn't take a non-committal attitude toward error; in
         fact, he upholds and encourages the preaching that exposes
         it. Psalm 119:104; Rom. 12:9
   B. False teachers prey on the immature and avoid the mature.
      1. Illustration: At times, some establish their views by going 
         to the weaker members.

IV. A MATURE CHRISTIAN IS NOT EASILY MOVED BY PERSECUTION. James     
   1:4-5
   A. He knows persecutions and hardships will come. Acts 14:22
      1. He knows that persecutions will approve or disapprove him
         before God. 1 Pet 1:6-7; 4:12-13
      2. He knows that hardships and difficulties will work patience
         and make him stronger in the end.
   B. A mature Christian will receive criticism and reproof without
      being moved.
      1. He does not resent correction, nor become angry with the
         one who administers it. He does not try to get even with the
         one who criticizes him.
      2. Prov. 9:8-9; 12:1; Psalm 141:5.
      3. Illustration: Some want the honor and praise due the mature,
         but cannot receive the criticism that goes with them. We
         need mature Christians who pursue the right course in spite
         of all objections. "You can't have the roses without the
         thorns."

V. A MATURE CHRISTIAN KEEPS HIS HEART RIGHT WITH GOD. 1 Chron. 28:9; 
   1 Kings 8:61
   A. In spite of this, Solomon failed in this matter. 1 Kings 11:4
   B. We must keep our hearts with all diligence. Prov. 4:23
      1. We must keep our hearts attuned to spiritual things. Col.   
         3:1-2
      2. We should not set our affections on material things. The
         mature Christian does not have the love of money, or the
         love of things money can buy. He does not love the pleasures
         of this world.
      3. We must deny ourselves of certain things--of anything that
         would hinder us from serving the Lord. Luke 9:23

VI. THE MATURE CHRISTIAN STRIVES TO PERFECT FAITH AND HOLINESS. 
   A. He grows in faith. 1 Thess. 3:10
      1. Faith is made perfect by works. James 2:22
   B. He perfects holiness. 2 Cor. 7:1
      1. Drinking, dancing, gambling, indecent and immodest dress,
         are not practiced by the mature.
      2. Illustration: On determining her dress, one young lady said
         she watched what the most mature, godly women wore, and
         tried to dress similar to them.

VII. THE MATURE SINCERELY WORK TOWARD UNITY. 1 Cor. 1:10
   A. In matters of faith and doctrine he is unwilling to compromise.
      1. True unity is based upon God's great platform of unity. Eph.
         4:3-7
      2. Unity in error is worse than division to preserve the truth.
   B. In matters of opinion or human judgment, he will not condone or
      encourage any effort to alienate brethren and divide a
      congregation.
      1. Envy, strife, and division are evidences of immaturity. 1   
         Cor. 3:1-3
      2. Love, mercy, and unity are evidences of maturity. Phil.     
         2:1-4
   C. Where brethren stand divided, the mature Christian prays and
      works toward unity.

VIII. HE BRIDLES HIS TONGUE. James 3:2
   A. Controlling one's tongue is very difficult, but must be done.  
      James 1:26
      1. The mature Christian understands how much damage the
         tongue can do.
         a. Illustration: We soon learn by experience not to say
            things about others that we don't want them to hear.
            Eccl. 10:20
      2. Also, he does not act childishly over things that have been
         said about him. Eccl. 7:21-22
         a. A mature Christian is not easily offended; his feelings
            are not easily hurt.
         b. The immature are prone to feel neglected, overlooked,
            mistreated.
            (1) Some are always looking for something at which to    
                take offense and ever finding it.
         c. The mature do not begin a verbal war against those
            whom they feel have said something bad about them or
            mistreated them.

IX. THE MATURE CHRISTIAN HAS LOVE. Col. 3:14
   A. He has genuine love toward his brethren. Rom. 12:9-10
   B. He has genuine love toward God. 1 John 2:5; 4:12,18

X. THE MATURE CHRISTIAN RELIES ON HIS HEAVENLY FATHER.
   A. It is only by the help of God that we will succeed. Heb.       
      13:20-21; 1 Pet. 5:10
   B. If we are saved at all in that great day, it will be because we
      relied on the Father to carry us through.

Concl.
   A. These are high marks. There is nothing light or trivial about
      becoming a mature Christian.
   B. It is a matter of constant application; we cannot let up, stand
      still, or go backwards.
      1. Other things cannot mean more to us.
   C. Let us earnestly strive toward maturity.

Chart:
Marks of Maturity

Able to distinguish between good and evil
Heb. 5:11-6:1; 2 Tim. 3:16-17

Seeks to please the Lord
Luke 6:40; John 8:29; 2 Tim. 2:4; Gal. 1:10

Not easily carried away by false doctrine
Eph. 4:11-15; Psalm 119:104; Rom. 12:9

Not easily moved by persecutions
James 1:4-5; Acts 14:22; 1 Pet. 1:6-7; 4:12-13; Prov. 9:8-9; 12:1;
Ps. 141:5

Keeps his heart right with God
1 Chron. 28:9; 1 Kings 11:4; Prov. 4:23; Col. 3:1-2; Luke
9:23

Strives to perfect faith and holiness
1 Thess. 3:10; James 2:22; 2 Cor. 7:1

Sincerely works toward unity
1 Cor. 1:10; Eph. 4:3-7; 1 Cor. 3:1-3; Phil. 2:1-4

Bridles his tongue
James 3:2; 1:26; Eccl. 10:20; 7:21-22

Has genuine love
Col. 3:14; Rom. 12:9-10; 1 John 2:5; 4:12,18

Relies on the Heavenly Father
Heb. 13:20-21; 1 Pet. 5:10