There are many ideas of what Christian maturity should be and what it should look like. Some are very accurate. Others don’t make any sense whatsoever.
An important goal of Christian maturity is to become Christlike.
However, this doesn’t mean that we will become perfect or mature overnight, but instead that we will grow in our likeness to Christ. The process of change is one in which we are transformed into the image of God through the power of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18). As we mature in our faith, we will see a growing similarity to Jesus in our lives.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NKJV) “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
We learn through the life of Abraham that God will often use tests to grow us in maturity. Tests from God are for the purpose of revealing what’s inside of us. We need to know that. Often a test from God is a direct answer to our prayers for help in knowing what’s going on.
Psalm 139:23–24 (NKJV) “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.”
Be careful not to confuse the tests that come from God with the temptations that come from Satan. Temptations are for the purpose of destroying you. Testings are to help you grow.
James 1:12–13 (NKJV) “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.”
The ultimate goal of maturity is to reach a place where you choose to obey regardless of what you think and what is emotionally going on in your life. You arrive at the place of maturity to realize how important it is to get up first thing and obey God. Obedience first. Wrestling with it comes later. You trust God, so you obey God. No questions. No resistance. No pausing.
I have learned that if I don’t obey God or delay my obedience, it causes so much pain in my life.
I’d rather have the consequences of obedience than suffer the consequences of disobedience. Yes, you read that right. There are painful results of obedience but even more painful results from disobedience. Choose to obey today. It’s an essential tool in your Christian maturity, no matter what your emotions say!
