Experience Spiritual Maturity
What does spiritual maturity look like? If you are going to experience spiritual growth, you need to learn to recognize Christian maturity according to God’s design. J. Oswald Sanders said, “It is not easy to define, but you can tell when it is present.”
While it shows itself in many ways, there are several common characteristics of spiritually mature believers: they are confident in God; they seek His will; they are humble servants; they follow Jesus’ example; they love God and others; and they depend on the Lord. Psalm 92:12 states, “The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree … [and] grow like a cedar in Lebanon.” The palm grows slowly, but it grows steadily, from year to year. It isn’t affected by rain or snow; it doesn’t wilt under the sun of summer; and strong winds don’t alter its uprightness. It just stands there, yielding fruit, and continues to bear fruit in old age. Three qualities of the date palm help us picture the mature Christian. First, the palm tree grows in the desert. This world is a desert to the Christian; and yet true believers thrive in it just like a palm tree thrives. Enoch walked with God while mankind became more sinful, and Lot thrived spiritually right in the midst of Sodom’s wickedness. Second, the palm tree feeds on unseen nourishment. Listen! The palm tree does grow in the sand, but the sand is not its food! A water source below feeds its tap roots. And the penetrating root of faith reaches to the hidden fountain of living waters—Jesus Christ. Joseph grew among the cat-worshippers of Egypt; and Daniel grew in the decadence of Babylon. Third, the palm tree produces in old age. The years 30 to 100 are the most productive of the date palm. “They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing,” (Psalm 92:14) The older Christian is valuable in ministry, if he is spiritually mature. Are you committed to experiencing spiritual growth?
Sin cera, Erik
Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.