Following up from a couple of days ago about what a 'mature Christ-follower' is ... of course, there is really no ONE answer to that, but here are some things to consider ...
A mature Christ-follower understands grace. The Christ-follower isn't a perfect person. Too many Christians see the imperfections in their own lives and are paralyzed from moving forward, knowing they have sinned or come short. But the great love and mercy and grace of God are understood by the mature Christian who can pick up and go on in the forgiveness that is ours in Christ.
The mature Christ-follower multiplies himself. He adds to his understanding of Christian doctrine and teaching in such a way that he can teach others. This is multiplying and causes the message of the Gospel to rapidly spread. "Lone Ranger" Christ-followers are ineffective.
The mature Christ-follower thinks long-term. The Christian life is not so much a "sprint" as it is a “marathon." As a result, the Christian needs a good foundation and an attitude that there is much to learn and experience and therefore to keep Christ at the CENTER of life.
The mature Christ-follower doesn't take short-cuts. The mature Christian loves the truth and lives by it. There is no short-cut to maturity. Here is a short list of principles that can be helpful in being faithful as a mature follower of Christ ... (1) Seek to do God's will in everything … (2) Be in the Bible frequently … (3) Be in prayer constantly … (4) Check with God on everything in advance … (5) Have an attitude that trusts God and His leadings … (6) Get counsel from others who also seek to do God's will … (7) Find what God is doing and join in … (8) Do what is right, not what is popular … (9) Obey God even in the small things … (10) Don't go where it is slippery.
The mature Christ-follower understands He has the government of Heaven behind Him. Because of the resurrection, we have authority to speak in His name and to live and die for Him because Christ is raised from the dead. We may have limits, but God and His Word have no limitations. Christ is alive and all the promises of the Bible are valid and we can base our lives on them.
The mature Christ-follower focuses on what is important. The mature Christian is careful to be sensitive to people, to be a friend, to speak timely words, and to focus on what is important, rather than majoring on the minors. The mature Christian knows that essential doctrine is important (the Trinity, doctrines of the Bible, sin, and man) but other things (diet, observing days, archeological matters, historical items) are not important enough to squabble over. Be strong and mature in what is important, and spend time teaching and learning the important matters.
The mature Christ-follower is a student of the Scriptures. The mature Christian knows how to handle the Word of God. He has an answer for his faith and knows essential doctrine. He knows the general will of God and has the ability to seek God out for His will in life. He lives Romans 1:16 daily: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God for salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
And be blessed.
2 comments:
This IS helpful list. But so impersonal.
You may not accept that I am a mature believer.(it's not "polite" to say this about yourself)
But my heart breaks to hear someone ask "how do I get mature"?
I have found that you get maturity through personalizing your relationship with Jesus.
It is me & Jesus.
Put ALL your effort into knowing Him for YOURSELF. Work on really believing He loves you, now, today -despite whatever you think you lack.
The list is helpful to see ways to 'do' things, but if you 'do' any of them and do not know that you know that you know that Jesus loves 'only' you..and that you love only Him, then the 'doing' has not achieved anything.
BELIEVE evry word He says, especially about you.
ANON:
I know what you are saying and generally agree - about the impersonal. But that's how ANY list is about anything. It is always the relationship that makes the list comes to life - in this case, it is the relationship with God. I also agree with your closing statement about knowing that you know that Jesus loves you. Very cool.
I don't agree though that it is impolite to call yourself mature. Calling ourselves something that Christ calls us to BE is just living up to Scripture. WHEN to call yourself that, I suppose, is the trick. I also do not think it at all heart-breaking to hear someone ask the question, "How do I get mature?" Asking the question reveals the scriptural desire to be like Christ. Frankly, I wish I heard it asked a lot more often.
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