Christ First Forum

Maturity In Christ

Colossians 2:1-8
1 For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and[a] of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4 Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. 5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

From these eight verses, there are a couple of things we can glean
concerning the subject of "Spiritual Maturity In Christ"


A. A mature Christian has a deep concern for the brethren
1. Paul is an example of spiritual maturity and thus
worthy of our emulation - 1Co 11:1
2. We see that he had a concern for his brethren (notice 2Co 11:
28-29 also), even for those he personally had not seen!
3. Epaphras likewise demonstrated this "mark" of maturity - Col 4:
12-13
4. Do we have such concern for our brethren?

B. A mature Christian Is an encourager and has a heart to do so.
1. The KJV uses the word "comforted"
2. It is the Will of God that we serve Him with hearts that are
full of comfort and encouragement
a. Such was the concern of Jesus - Lk 21:34; Jn 14:1,27
b. Such was the frequent prayer of Paul - 2Th 2:16-17
3. A "troubled, anxious heart" is not the mark of a mature
Christian!
4. Consider the example of Paul in facing impending death - 2 Ti
4:6-8,17-18

C. A Mature Christian has heart that is knitted together in love with other Christians
1. A love similar to that experienced by David and Jonathan
- 1 Sa 18:1
2. The brethren at Colosse were well on their way in this regard
- Col 1:4
3. How about us? Are we developing hearts "knit together in
love"?

D. A mature Christian Has full assurance and understanding of their salvation
1. Similar to having hearts that are encouraged, we need to have a
strong assurance concerning ourselves and our salvation!
2. Of course, this assurance comes as we increase our
"understanding" concerning the basis of our salvation
3. Indeed, the Word of God was so written to increase that
understanding, and provide the assurance of our salvation
- 1Jn 5:13; 3:19; note also Ro 15:4
4. As one matures in Christ, this "assurance" will increase, and
it is indeed one of the "riches" we have in Christ!

E. A mature Christian has a knowledge and understanding of the gospel which was once hidden.
1. An understanding of the gospel, which once was hidden,
but has now been revealed. Ep 3:3-6; Ro 16:25-26
2. Thus, a good knowledge of the gospel of Christ is essential to
maturity in Christ
3. Are we increasing in this knowledge?

F. A mature Christian has order and steadfastness in there faith and walk with the Lord.
1. The word "order"...
a. From taxis {tax'-is}, a military term, suggestive of men marching in proper order and precision, as in a drilling exercise
b. This suggests that a mature Christian is one whose walk as a disciple is in proper line with what is expected.
2. The word "steadfastness" is a word which goes right along with
this idea of marching in a straight line
3. What is our "life of faith" like?
a. Are we progressing in order, steadfast in our progress?
b. Or are we wavering constantly?

These are but a few indications of spiritual maturity. If they are
found in our lives, it is a good sign that progress is being made!

From verses 6-8, we can also learn Steps to Spiritual or Christian maturity.

A. Receive Christ as your Lord and Saviour
1. This the Colossians had done
2. Today, many seem to want Jesus just as a "Savior," but not as "Lord"
3. That is, they profess to want Him as "their personal Savior," but then do not obey Him in what He commands them.
4. Yet God has made Him both! Acts 2:36
5. Until we enthrone Christ as Lord in our lives, we cannot hope to become "perfect" (complete, mature) in Christ.
6. Again, Paul provides a good example - e.g., Galatians 2:20

B. Walk in Christ V6-7 1. Having received Christ as Lord, we must now "walk" or live in Him
2. Verse 7 explains what it means to "walk in Christ"
a. "rooted" - Christ must be the FOUNDATION and SOURCE OF
NUTRITION in our lives (like tree depends upon its roots)
b. "built up in Him" - allowing ourselves to become the kind of
building He would have us to be
c. "established in the faith" - well taught and grounded in the
teachings of Christ, and living by them
d. "abounding in it with thanksgiving" - ever overflowing with
an attitude of gratitude

C. Beware
1. To grow spiritually, we must beware of dangers which would
hinder our spiritual growth
2. Otherwise, in our zeal to grow we can easily be misled by false
doctrines which promise an easy route to spiritual maturity,
but do not deliver on that promise!

There are many ways that show the maturity of Christians, I just hope in some way we can all learn and grow in maturity by taking Paul's example.

Amen, Frank. We have to be empty vessels, willing to be filled with His Holy Spirit. Without that, we can't represent Jesus.

COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING results from COMPLETE YIELDING..

Christ, as the true mystery of God, REVEALS GOD to man...

For in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and we're only to ASK for this wisdom said in James..

As believers are 'built up' in Christ, they become more GRATEFUL and are OVERFLOWING WITH THANKFULNESS..

God bless...