What does Christian maturity look like? Is it the things we do, like going to church or reading our Bibles? Is it the “big sins” we don’t do, like getting drunk or stealing? Or is Christian maturity something else? What did Paul mean when he said, “Walk worthy of the calling with which you have been called” (Eph. 4.1)?
Today’s Readings:
Isaiah 55 & 56
Psalm 113.5-9
Proverbs 26.20-21
Ephesians 4.1-32
How Spiritually Mature Are You?
Ephesians 4.1-32:
Worthy of the Calling: A Mature Christian Life
Verse 1 begins with “I, therefore, … beseech you …”
Therefore! Because of all the things Paul had just explained in chapters 1-3—because we are “in Him”—saved, redeemed, sanctified, justified, blessed, set free—we should “walk worthy of the calling with which [we have been] called” (v. 1)!
Now in these last three chapters of Ephesians, Paul begins to tell us how those truths should be lived out, how to live worthy of the calling. Or we could say he gives us a picture of a mature Christian life.
Christian Maturity Leads to Unity & Peace
Chapter 4 says:
We should work to have unity and peace in all our relationships—in our family, in our church, in the workplace—wherever God places us (v. 3).
There are times when standing for the truth brings division (Matt. 10.34-39). I believe that’s why Paul said in Romans, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Rom. 12.18). Sometimes people will not allow you to live at peace with them. But we should be careful that any division is not because of personal preferences, pride, or self-righteousness. It should be because of clear biblical principles.
Not Babies
We should no longer be spiritual babies, tossed to and fro by every appealing-sounding doctrine or new spiritual experience that comes along (v. 14). Babies need constant attention, are easily upset, and will believe in every “Santa Claus” that comes along! We need to be rooted and grounded in the truth instead of wanting someone to make us feel good or think we need to be entertained all the time even from the pulpit. We need to “grow up” (v. 15)!
Christian Maturity in How We Speak & Act
We are to speak the truth in love (v. 15) which means three things should happen. We should speak—not clam up or give people the silent treatment—ever! Nothing justifies that behavior in the life of a believer. Second, we must “speak the truth”—not half-truths, not omissions of the truth, but the truth! And third, it must be spoken “in love”—not because we want to give the other person a “piece of our minds” or unload on someone!
We should not act like pagans who don’t know God (v. 17). That means we can’t justify our behavior because “everyone else is doing it.”
That means we don’t commit fornication or adultery. But it also means we don’t flirt if we’re married and we don’t flirt with someone who is married, even if we’re single.
Ladies, it means we shouldn’t dress immodestly (and husbands, don’t ask your wife to dress that way unless it’s in the privacy of your home). It also means our beauty is to be primarily inner and spiritual. That doesn’t mean we have to be drab or unattractive.
It also means we don’t live with someone if we are not married to him or her … period! Having him stay at your house 2 or 3 times a week, or even occasionally, while you’re not technically “living together” is no better.
We’re not to be lewd, unclean, or greedy (v. 19). No dirty jokes or sexual innuendos. No lies because “how else are you going to get ahead in business” (v. 25).
We are to put off the habits and lifestyles of the old sinful nature (v. 22).
Christian Maturity in our Minds & Habits
We are to work at renewing our minds (v. 23)—by spending time in His Word, reading good theologically sound books, memorizing Scripture, and meditating on it—thinking about how it is to be lived out in our lives personally.
We are to put on new righteous lifestyles (v. 24).
We are to stop lying, deceiving, omitting, and coloring the truth and become open and honest in all our relationships (v. 25).
We are not to sin in our anger, but deal with it quickly (v. 26). When we are tempted to anger, even righteous anger, we cannot use that as an excuse to sin. We must deal with those sinful thoughts, feelings, and actions quickly (don’t let the sun go down on them). If we don’t, we’re giving the devil an open window to crawl—or charge—through (v. 27).
We are to become givers and not takers in life (v. 28).
We are to use our mouths to build others up by speaking words that are filled with God’s grace and are appropriate for the time and place (v. 29). Sometimes that means we must speak the truth in love even though the other person may not want to hear it. Remember, God’s grace means He gives us what we need, not just what we want. Sometimes we must do the same.
We’re not to grieve the Holy Spirit who lives in us, by willfully, knowingly choosing to sin (v. 30).
We’re not only to put off anger but all its ugly cousins— bitterness, rage, clamor, slander, malice, etc. and show kindness, compassion, and forgiveness, instead. This is God’s kind of forgiveness—not the “I’m forgiving you because the Bible says I have to, but I’m watching you” kind of forgiveness (vv. 31-32).
If This All Sounds Impossible
If you’re like me, you read that list, and it’s tempting to think, “Why bother? I can’t possibly do all that!” AND YOU’RE RIGHT! But we are not called to do any of these things in our own strength. The very impossibility of “keeping the law” is what is intended to drive us closer and closer to Christ and make us more and more dependent on Him and the power of His Spirit to work in and through us.
So how do we do that? When we find ourselves with a desire to respond in a way that is contrary to God’s will, we must pray as James instructed and ask for wisdom (Jas. 1.5). We must come to the throne of grace where we will find mercy and grace to help in our time of need (Heb. 4.15-16).
We must humbly admit to God that we cannot do these things on our own and call on the power of the Holy Spirit living in us. Remember that same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in us (Rom. 8.11).
The wonderful thing is that when we recognize that we cannot do what God requires on our own and humbly come to Him, He does His most incredible, transforming work! And the picture of our lives will become more and more that of a mature Christian life.
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Today’s Other Readings:
Isaiah 55 & 56:
Spending Wages for What Does Not Satisfy
These have to be two of the most glorious chapters in the Old Testament! We see that God’s offer of salvation is for all who come to Him, believe, and accept His gracious free gift. Ethnicity and race don’t matter, physical condition doesn’t matter, all can come!
Yet we so often keep God at arm’s length, not wanting to give up what we perceive as better—our freedom to live life our way, to experience what the world has to offer—and only discover after much grief and heartache that we have spent “money for what is not bread, and wages for what does not satisfy.”
Psalm 113.5-9:
Like a Joyful Mother of Children
Verse 8:
… He grants the barren woman a home, like a joyful mother of children.
Sometimes God fulfills that verse with a pregnancy where the doctors have said it was impossible or a marriage and family when we least planned or expected it. But at other times He fulfills that promise in other unique and special ways like a teaching career with a special calling and anointing from God or a ministry opportunity that would be difficult if we were married or had children of our own. However He fulfills it, He will cause each of us to be “like a joyful mother of children” if we will trust His wise and perfect choices for us.
Proverbs 26.20-21:
Let the Fire Go Out
Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases (v. 20).
Notice it doesn’t say anything about whether the “tale” is true. Just because the “tale” is true does not mean we have the right to “bear” it to others!
What Do You Think?
How did your life hold up compared to the picture of Christian maturity? Are there some areas where you need to put off an old-man behavior and seek God’s help to grow and change? What Bible verses could you meditate on? What are some immediate changes that you can make?
Coming Up:
In the next few days, we’ll talk about angry children, hypocrisy, the armor of God, what’s going on when we think we can sin now and ask forgiveness later, and more.
I hope you’ll sign up so you don’t miss any of them. You might also like to check out our YouTube channel.
If this post spoke to you, I would love it if you would share it on your favorite social media platform.
And if you don’t already have a copy, you might want to purchase a copy of my eBook, 10 Benefits of Keeping a Spiritual Journal. It’s available on Kindle or in paperback (the paperback has 31 days of blank journaling pages with prompts to help you get started).
Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥
Note about this post:
I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years. Some days I make major changes, other days fewer.
A while ago, I read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”
I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.
Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)
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