The maturity of the Christ-follower is of utmost importance, so much so that the Apostle Paul said,
“So we preach Christ to everyone. With all possible wisdom we warn and teach them in order to bring each one into God’s presence as a mature individual in union with Christ. To get this done I toil and struggle, using the mighty strength which Christ supplies and which is at work in me.” Colossians 1:28-29 GNT
In my experience as a pastor and leader, I get the sense that many in the church seem to think that maturity or discipleship is about acquiring more biblical information, instead of pursuing life-transformation through a daily, love-drenched, Gospel-infused encounter with Jesus through the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence.
It’s very possible to know the Bible but not know the author of the Bible.
The Pharisees, or “separate ones,” studied the Scriptures passionately. They knew the Old Testament… by the age of 13! Yet they were blind to the One that every Hebrew letter in the Old Testament testified to – Jesus. Listen to Jesus’ words to the Pharisees and to us,
“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about Me, yet you refuse to come to Me that you may have life.” John 5:39-40 ESV
Discipleship is not knowing more about Jesus, but knowing Jesus and being transformed into His image. His Life become ours. His mission becomes ours. What breaks His heart begins to break ours.
I once heard of a pastor who said his congregation was filled with mature oaks of the faith; therefore, their church stayed small because they were so mature and deep and intimate. He boasted that many of his members were in three different Bible studies per week with other Christ-followers.
They didn’t celebrate baptism much at this church.
Question: Is this really “mature” in the faith or does it smell like “manure”? In the words of Nacho Libre, “It’s eh, stinky.”
Jesus told His 1st-century Jewish followers to go make disciples of all ethnic groups (Matthew 28:18-20). Jesus said, “Go to people who are far from Me, and introduce them to Me, so they can be transformed by Me and join the family business of persuading others to believe that My Daddy sent Me to reconcile the world unto Himself through my life, death, resurrection, and exaltation” (using my paraphrase of 2 Corinthians 5:18-20).
I believe that the most mature Christ-followers are those who have the most passion about lost people discovering life in Jesus. They are passionate about sharing the Good News of Jesus because that Good News has transformed their lives. Jesus is King, and they hunger for others to share in that glorious Kingdom.
Mature disciples are people who, in community, are growing in their love for Jesus, themselves, and their neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39). They know Jesus and can’t help but passionately make Him known through every facet of their life.
They are everyday missionaries.
