Like Mature Christians

(Eph 4:13 NIV) until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

(Col 4:12 NIV) Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.

Mature: Well-developed, ripened, mellowed, aged, grown-up. Not childish. Attained a desired state or condition.

What are some of the attributes of maturity?

If you don’t mature then you don’t grow up (Luke 8:14)

Ability to understand (Ephesians 4:13)

Wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:6)

Discernment (Ephesians 4:13)

Unity (Ephesians 4:13)

Perseverance (Philippians 3:15) & (James 1:4

Assurance (Colossians 4:12)

Knowledge of good and evil. (Hebrews 5:14)

Ability to chew and digest serious and weighty matters. (Hebrews 5:14)

Steady progress (Heb 6:1-8) Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, {2} instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. {3} And God permitting, we will do so. {4} It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, {5} who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, {6} if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. {7} Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. {8} But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.

Acknowledgment of Christ (Colossians 1:28)

Accepts responsibility and doesn’t blame others, especially God.

Will not inappropriately accept responsibility

Knows how to say, “Yes” and how to say “No.”

Keeps his word.

Can keep a confidence.

Fulfilled.

Fruitful.

Not confused by life’s clutter.

Doesn’t lose track of the goal.

Maintains faith when the object of faith seems impossible.

Exhibits strength in all aspects of life.

Can be tender, compassionate, and loving while being strong.

Is humble whether praised or ridiculed.

Can be proud without losing humility.

Content with his place in life.

Strives to be better.

Exhibits stability.

Honesty in appraisals.

Learns from mistakes rather than repeating them.

Consistently controls anger rather than anger controlling him.

Can overcome self.

Master of his tongue.

Comfortable with himself.

President Coolidge dinner party. Coffee in saucer with cream and sugar. Gave it to cat!

Maturity begins to grow when you can sense your concern for others outweighing your concern for yourself John MacNaughton

Maturity is the ability to be comfortable with people who are not like us. Virgil A. Kraft

One of the marks of spiritual maturity is the quiet confidence that God is in control … without the need to understand why he does what he does. Charles R. Swindoll (1934– )

Acts as a child of God (1 Cor 14:20 RSV) Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; be babes in evil, but in thinking be mature.