Maturity

Maturity can be a strange thing to watch unfold. At one level, no two things mature the same. Trees do not all develop the same amount of branches, nor do children all enjoy the same privileges. However, there are milestones common to all. We expect acorns to become saplings to become trees. We busily jot down first steps, first words, and big birthdays because these are the milestones common to maturity. But what about the Christian? Are there milestones in the Christian life that say, “This man is growing?” Sinclair Ferguson aptly demonstrates that “the writers of the New Testament had a deep-seated concern to see Christians grow to spiritual maturity.” As we read the bumbling mistakes of the Corinthians or the praiseworthy practices of the Philippians, what we find is that maturity “requires time and patient progress.”

Maturity outlines the basics of Christian maturity in such a format that both new and seasoned Christians can aptly benefit. We tend to fall into the mistaken idea that activity equals maturity. Truth be told, activity does not necessarily equal life. Decay is an activity, and dead bodies are good at such; however, life is one defined by nourishment and growth. This is the type of life that Christ describes in John 15:5: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.” The strength of this work comes not from some ten-step program; instead, Ferguson focuses on a life that abides in Christ. Mature fruit can be found nowhere else.

From this point, Ferguson walks us through key questions that each Christian will ask as they mature. Can I have assurance? What is God’s will for my life? How do I deal with sin, Satan, and society? What about suffering? How can I be faithful and consistent when life is “long obedience in the same direction”? Ultimately, these revolve around one issue: what is my identity in Christ, and what does that look like today, tomorrow, and onward? Ultimately, Christians do not need a new technique for becoming mature. We need a big vision of a bigger God, of a God who both gives us new life and sustains our life until death is no more. Sinclair Ferguson gives us exactly that picture.

I ask a simple question: what does maturity look like for you tomorrow? If you cannot answer that question, or if the answer to said question has been the same for years, I ask you to consider reading Maturity and praying for growth in grace.

You can purchase Maturity here.