"Maturity"

“Maturity”

Early in my pastoral career I attended a workshop led by Dr. Gene Getz, author of the groundbreaking book Sharpening the Focus of the Church. In addition to distinguishing between biblical functions (those things which are mandated such as prayer, worship and fellowship) and their forms (how they could be carried out in a variety of ways) Dr. Getz also addressed spiritual maturity on individual and church levels. He maintained that the measure of maturity for both is summarized in 1 Corinthians 13:13: “…These three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” Is he correct? Let’s look at examples of a couple of churches to which Paul wrote.

In 1 Thessalonians 1:3 we read, “We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (Emphasis added). Even though the Apostle spent only a short time in this city (perhaps as little as three Sabbaths—see Acts 17:1-10) he was able to commend the new believers for their imitating Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:6), godly example (verse 7) and outreach (verse 8). So despite a limited period of instruction the church had reached a high level of development because the three key elements were present. (See Colossians 1:3-8 for another illustration.)

By contrast the church at Corinth “…(did) not lack any spiritual gift….” (1 Corinthians 1:7) but the absence of the qualities of maturity made it Paul’s heartache and headache despite his investing 18 months teaching the people God’s truth (Acts 18:11). It was to this body that he wrote his great treatise on love because they were essentially clueless as to its practice. (2 Corinthians was penned about a year later and reflects some progress in dealing with the church’s troubles.)

As followers of Jesus each of us is called upon to exhibit these elements of growth: faith (“…Take the shield of faith….”—Ephesians 6:16), hope (“…{Do not move} away from the hope of the gospel….”—Colossians 1:23, NASB) and love (“…Live a life of love….”—Ephesians 5:2). To accomplish this we must “…leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity….” (Hebrews 6:1) by learning God’s Word (Colossians 3:16), prayer (1 Timothy 2:1-4), fellowship (Hebrews 10:25) and service (Colossians 3:24). As we obey these commands “…we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15) and make a difference for Him in a needy world.

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan