Dearly Beloved, This new write-up is the first part of our series on Spiritual Maturity. We trust that you are being blessed. If you have problems getting articles in your e-mail box please contact us on media@fowm.org. If you are in the UK area, our “Discipling the Nations Broadcast” can be seen on Sky digital Channel 223 on OBE TV on Fridays at 7:30pm. Stay blessed as you stay in fellowship with the Holy Spirit. More insightful studies can be seen on our website www.fowm.org or www.fowmint.org at our Study Centre/Cyber message section.

In developing character as Christians, it is very important that we know what our end product is meant to be. This is necessary so we do not wander off into religious confusion about where we are going and what we are becoming as we mature. Christ likeness is our goal in character and lifestyle and doing the will of God with the power of God goes along with being Christ-like. In this study we want to clearly lay out a road map so we see how much progress we are making in our growth.

In my study on human development, I have come across some insights into how development takes place and the spiritual side of our development should be all encompassing. Any lack of development in any part of our lives will inevitably affect our spiritual development. An emotionally under developed person will be hindered in the expression of spiritual maturity in one-way or the other. If we see spiritual maturity as being conformed to the image of Christ, then all areas are important.

Jesus our Lord grew in Stature (physical), in wisdom (mental), in favor with God (spiritual) and with man (social).

Marks of maturity: In the study of human development, the following are marks of a matured person. You may not be there now but knowing the marks will help in your adjustment as you mature.

• Bases actions on long-range goals. Has an ability to delay gratification. Maturity is the ability to delay gratification. An interesting book I saw recently calls it pay now, play later, in discussing this concept of facing the hard part of any project first and easy part later. A matured person sees the end and walks towards a successful completion of their objectives.
• Accepts things as they are. Faces and tries to cope with problems. Not seeking escapes from reality through alcohol, drugs or immoral experiences. Confrontation with the issues of life is a mark of a matured person. There is no need to escape from the realities in our experiences, facing them gives us the opportunity to mature.
• Has an ability to live up to responsibility. Not merely blaming everyone else. Faces his own response. RESPONSE-ABILITY: ability to choose your response. Since Adam, we have all mastered the art of blaming other people and things for whatever we go through in life. The day we begin to take responsibility for the things in our lives, we get into the process of maturity faster.
• Accepts the authority of others- we are always under someone’s authority. A mature person recognizes and accepts another person’s authority without intimidation or inferiority. Learning to function within healthy boundaries drawn by the legitimate authority of those that God has put around us is most necessary in a matured person’s life.
• Has a proper knowledge and acceptance of oneself. Love your neighbor as yourself. A healthy acknowledgement of ones strength and weaknesses borne out of acceptance goes a long way to mark one as being matured. There is a place for a healthy self-love in the scheme of things.
• Has an ability to love even when the love is not returned. It takes unselfishness to love and love when the love is not reciprocated. This involves a test of motive and an adjustment of the focus of our love. A matured person loves to see others helped and takes it as part of the challenges to love when there is no obvious or immediate return of the love.

Our maturity should affect every part of our lives- emotional, mental, social, physical and spiritually, we should mature in all.

Maturity is not a function of time but CHOICES, DECISIONS & APPLICATIONS OF ONESELF TO PRINCIPLES THAT LEAD TO MATURITY.

e.g. Practicing forgiveness will lead to emotional maturity. Loving others and looking out for their best interest will grow you up- at least emotionally.

Accepting and reasoning alongside others will lead to mental maturity. You do not have to accept their views! Subjecting your mind to healthy mental diet will help develop your mental abilities.

Loving, accepting and respecting yourself in a healthy way will go a long way to make you whole.

Knowing that you are unique and others are unique- they contain a wider variety than your imagination can contain, will lead to social maturity if you allow them to be.