A Profile of a Mature Christian
Foundational Bible Passages
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength, and your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:27-40).
“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you (Matthew 28:18-20).
Foundational Principles
Mature Christians demonstrate that their primary life focus is the glorification of God through seeking first the redemptive purposes of the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33).
Mature Christians have an inner growth motivation from which they will take personal responsibility to pursue training in faith and character development so that they will become thoroughly equipped for ministry (1 Peter 1:5-9).
Eight Core Characteristics of a Mature Christian
1. Experiencing God
The maturing process begins when we are forgiven of our sins and cleansed through rebirth and renewal of the Holy Spirit. For no one can see the kingdom of God unless he or she is born again. A person is not a Christian unless he or she has the Holy Spirit dwelling in his or her life. (John 3:3; Titus 3:5; Romans 8:9).
The maturing process continues when we are daily led, consistently walk, and are controlled by the Holy Spirit (Roman 8:9,14).
Mature Christians have a biblical worldview (belief system) which has been formed by an accurate perception of God, self, and others (Colossians 1:25).
2. Bible Knowledge
Mature Christians have an overview understanding of the unfolding redemptive story of the entire Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
3. Church Heritage/History
Mature Christians have an understanding of our historical heritage as Christians, and model the lifestyle of our spiritual fathers and mothers in the faith (Hebrews 11).
4. Biblical Character and Heart Attitudes
Mature Christians manifest the Christ-like character of Jesus (Matthew 5:1-10), the fruit of the Holy Spirit in their daily lives (Galatians 5:22-23), and demonstrate their faith through heart attitudes such as servanthood, humility, and thankfulness (Philippians 2:5-11).
5. Bible Wisdom and Life Application
Mature Christians have a “renewed thinking pattern” that is submitted to the control of the Holy Spirit and biblical truth. They are able to distinguish good from evil, and make life decisions based on God’s value system and not this world’s system (Romans 12:1-2).
6. Spiritual Life Habits
Mature Christians practice the core habits of the spiritual life such as Bible study, stewardship, prayer, worship, spiritual warfare, and perseverance (1 Timothy 4:7-8).
7. Family and Church
Mature Christians demonstrate their faith through love, especially within their family life.
Mature Christians participate faithfully in the one-another relational fellowship of a local church body where they can receive personal support and accountability (James 5:16).
Mature Christians live with respect toward unbelievers. They are able to give an answer to everyone who asks them to give a reason for the hope that they have in Jesus Christ (Colossians 4:5-6; 1 Peter 2:2).
8. Ministry and Mission
Mature Christians function within their spiritual giftedness for the good of the church and world (1 Peter 4:10).
Copyright 2019 – Dr. Andrew Jackson