Who are Mature

6/13/2016

Philippians 3.15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. – St. Paul

Paul had expressed to the Philippians what his true thoughts were concerning his salvation and his place in Christ. He said that whatever he had gained in life (humanly speaking) because of his heritage and his learning was really only rubbish and man-made prize, compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus. He went on to say that whatever he had gained, he considered loss when he compared himself to the knowledge of Christ.

And then Paul said the above: All of us then who are mature should take such a view of things. And in saying this, he implied two things:

1.       There is a call on our lives for maturity, and
2.       The evidence of maturity is to have a similar view of things as Paul had.

Maturity is not an exclusive club in the family of God – it is a natural outgrowth of leadership, time, relationship, and communion with God. Maturity is what ought to happen to the disciple who yearns after God and learns from Him. Maturity comes from close relationship with God and the result of total surrender to Him. Not flawless perfection, but a deep and abiding communion with the Living Lord.

The natural outgrowth of maturity is this: all things human – no matter how good or prized – are nothing but rubbish when compared to the surpassing knowledge of knowing Jesus, and Him crucified. This view of things comes to the mature, the committed, the steadfast disciple.

The reason there is a call to maturity is because there is a need for maturity and spending time with Jesus causes us to see Him for who He really is; and to see ourselves for who we really are. And then the mature are to set the example for the weak and immature. The mature in the local church are the fathers, and there ought to be fathers in the local church who get their marching orders from the Master and steadfastly follow only Him; and help and guide the weak.

Who are the fathers (and mothers) in our local assemblies? Can we see them? Do we follow their example? Are fathers being raised up and sent out? When Paul said, “All of us then, who are mature…” he was speaking of those whose lives are under the love and control of Jesus and, it is evident in the way they view and conduct themselves in the world around them.

Lord Jesus, life is all about coming to know You and living in harmony and fellowship with You. That knowledge and fellowship ought to change who I am and how I view myself and the world around me. I should put off my quest of all things in humanity and strive for all that is heavenly. What should be most important, most prized, most sought after, Lord, is Your Kingdom come, Your will be done. Jesus may it be so in my life as we walk together – amen.