The Mature Believer

Mark Dunagan
09/04/16 - Sunday Morning

The Mature Believer

In First Corinthians 16:13 Paul says, “act like men”. This indicates that even adult believers can fail to act in a manly or mature manner. Many other passages stress the importance of not only being a Christian, but being a growing, faithful, strong and mature believer:

• “To a mature man” (Ephesians 4:13).
• “We are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14).
• “We are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ” (Ephesians 4:15).
• “Brethren, do not be children in your thinking” (1 Corinthians 14:20).

From time to time, Christians in the First Century who were not growing and maturing as they should were sternly admonished:

• “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:1).
• “For by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God” (Hebrews 5:12).
• “For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins” (2 Peter 1:9).

The Mature Believer and Morality

One of the often stressed qualities associated with acting like a man spiritually is the presence of moral excellence (2 Peter 1:5) in one’s life. Moral excellence is also another word for virtue, purity, or moral courage. The mature believer takes seriously the command to flee from evil (2 Timothy 2:22).   Therefore, the Christian who is acting maturely:

• Will not lead others into sin.
• Will not water down God’s moral standards.
• Will not be trying or encouraging others to get as close to sin without sinning.
• Will not make fun of God’s standards or those Christians who are seeking to uphold them.
• If you hang around them, you will grow stronger, not weaker, you will learn more about the Bible, and your standards will be elevated: Proverbs 27:17; 13:20 “He who walks with wise men will be wise”.

In other words, no one becomes spiritually or morally confused around the mature Christian. Things are clarified. The teaching of a verse is clearer. The feeling that I am compromising myself around them, or being compromised does not exist. Neither is there the feeling that one is becoming dense or a little dumber when around them. 

• Such a person monitors or polices themselves. Like Job, they have taken charge of their own spiritual growth and have taken measures to avoid sin, “I have made a covenant with my eyes” (Job 31:1).
• Hang around the mature Christian and you will hear great strategies for resisting temptation. You will see one wise move after another. You will see someone with all their armor on and using it wisely.

The Mature Believer and Bible Study

• They are prepared when they attend the bible studies at the building.
• Yet are also doing their own study as well.
• They know the Scriptures and are ready to give an intelligent reason for why they believe: 1 Peter 3:15
• They do not shy away from topics that are considered “controversial” by some.The mature believer realizes that every Bible topic is controversial to someone in the world.
• They do not believe the excuse that some offer that a bible topic is too confusing to understand: Ephesians 3:4; Psalm 119:97-105
• They avoid being swept away by the latest doctrinal fad: Ephesians 4:14
• They do not jump from one faith or one doctrinal position to another in search of the newest thing: 2 Peter 3:16
• They are very clear about what is good and what is evil, what is right and what is wrong: Hebrews 5:14

The Mature Believer and Good Works

• Even though they are very busy with many other things, they always have time for worship, bible study and helping others.They are simply ready for every good work: Titus 3:1
• Being with Christians is far more important to them then a hobby or pastime.
• They attend regularly when on vacation.
• No one needs to wake them up on Sunday morning, get them going, or remind them to pick up their bible or pray.
• They are discouraged when they are not able to attend because of declining health.
• For most of their lives they often helped others, attended and were present and involved even when they were not feeling at the top of their game.
• As you look at their schedule, you can clearly see that God indeed comes first in their lives (Matthew 6:33; Luke 14:26ff), and that they actually do love God more than family, comfort, work, hobbies and their own lives.

The Mature Believer’s Track Record

Like Daniel, it is one of consistency in things pertaining to God (Daniel, 6:10). In fact, friends and foes both are well aware of the lifestyle of the mature believer. Even Daniel’s enemies knew that Daniel would never put anything ahead of His God (6:5). Some people can be hot and then cold, on fire for a while, then absent. Nobody wonders about the mature believer. No one asks the question, “I wonder if they will show”. Or, “Do you think I can count on them?” 

The Mature Believer and Dating

• If they are a man, you will not need to mother them.
• If they are a man, you don’t have to encourage them to pursue someone that they claim to be interested in. A mature young man will pursue the woman of his dreams: Ruth 3:18 “The man will not rest until he has settled it today”.
• They will be kind, considerate, and patient: 1 Corinthians 13:4ff
• Their words will show their interest and love for you.
• Their conversations will include discussions about God, family, parenting, future goals, and wise plans.
• They will be very clear about what they believe in, who they are, what they stand for. When you meet them, immediately or very soon after, it will be clear that they are a Christian.
• The theme of their pursuit will be something like, “Come with me and let us grow spiritually together”. “Come with me and let us do great things for the kingdom of God”. “Come with me and I will always have your back spiritually, I will do my utmost to help you make it to heaven”.
• They will talk seriously about the permanence of marriage. When they commit, it is for life, for better or worse – and they plan to bring only the better into the relationship. The only worse that you could ever imagine with them would be something completely outside the control of either of you. Unexpected health problems, an unforeseen accident, persecution against God’s people, or problems you experience because of some third party.
• Even when dating they are clearly starting to leave and cleave (Genesis 2:24). They would rather spend time with you than do just about anything else.

Mark Dunagan | mdunagan@frontier.net
Beaverton Church of Christ | 503-644-9017
www.beavertonchurchofchrist.net