The Need for Christian Maturity (Part One)

From the desk of Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Th.D. Christians are called to mature in Christ because it signifies a deepening relationship with God, allowing them to live out their faith more fully, respond to life’s challenges with God’s wisdom, effectively serve others, and ultimately reflect the character of Christ more completely in their daily lives. Maturing in Christ is essentially moving beyond a basic understanding of what it means to live by faith to a more mature and responsible Christian life as outlined in the Scriptures. Being mature in Christ is being conformed to His image, and therefore it is walking as He walked. Let’s examine the words of apostle Paul. He said, “Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude” (Colossians 2:6-7). The journey toward maturity in Christ begins with receiving Christ, and we make progress from that point in the same manner as we began. It is by “walking with Christ” that we may grow and mature in Him, becoming more and more like Him. Be encouraged to mature in Christ! Stay tuned for Part Two.