The Mature Christian
By: Jeremiah Baldizan
How do we as true Christians measure our maturity as children of God in a godless culture and often godless church culture. Sadly, I have often seen myself and my beloved brothers and sisters led astray in this area by the very men called to protect us , namely our pastors. I have seen this this all to often with my own eyes, and cannot in good conscience be silent about it. This is not what is happening in every case, but reader beware of those men who go to church only to seek rank and prestige under the guise of service. So are we to compare ourselves to others? Is it for us to decide whether other Christians are mature or not? Or is it for us to evaluate ourselves? And how do we measure our maturity? Do we measure it by how many conferences we go to? By how many bible studies we show our face at? Are we to be comparing ourselves to others instead of Jesus Christ? Because that is what is predominately being practiced today. The Corinthians were busy “measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves” (2 Cor 10:12), and we are doing the same today. Comparing ourselves to each other promotes pride, and a clergy vs. laymen mentality which is detrimental to true Christian vitality. So the answer to all these questions is an obviously “no”. The bible teaches our one and only standard is Jesus Christ. Christianity is not some competition to exult oneself, because any goodness found in us in only a reflection of Christ. And the more one thinks he is mature, only exposes how immature he actually is. If our standard is Christ, then the question is not how much we think we are like Him, but are we broken over the fact that we are not like Him. Let us be found in brokenness and humility with our hearts right before God. “"But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word.” (Isa 66:2). John the beloved said, “He who says he abides in him ought also walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:6). In the Scriptures we see Christ deny Himself making “Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.” (Phil 2:7 Emphasis added). The idea of a bondservant as one with no rights but the will of his master. No right to retaliation for wrong suffered . No room for self reliance in the area of financial independence but total dependence on his master’s provision as we see with Christ. No retirement from service, no American dream, no stored up treasures, no place to lay His head. Only one thing to live for God’s will. Namely being spent for the glory of God. Like Paul the apostle, “ to live is Christ and to die gain.” whether people think us mature or not mature let us be willing to lay down our selfishness for God’s glory and the love of others. May we be spiritual brothers and not spiritual fathers. May we be another’s servant and not another’s master.
"But among you it should be quite different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant." Matt 20:26 NLT
