MATURING IN CHARACTER

 “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Philippians 3:12

We live in a day of instant formulas that supposedly can be applied to everything under the sun from microwave dinners to “how to get rich” in three easy lessons. Our “push button society” and computerized age have conditioned us to think of quick and easy solutions to a multitude of problems.

When it comes to maturing our character, some have also fallen prey to this instantaneous type thinking. Be “filled with the Spirit,” say some and that is the secret to spiritual maturity! “You must abandon and crucify self,” say others, and then you’ll suddenly rise to a new level of spirituality. Still, others say “discover your spiritual gifts” and begin to function in the body of Christ. Along with these ideas, of course, go the Bible reading and prayer formulas. Now all of these statements are worthy of careful consideration. But in themselves they are vague generalizations that frequently confuse new and older Christians alike. There is no shortcut to “becoming a mature child of God, it takes time and effort to become the person that God wants us to be.

How do you recognize a mature believer? This is not a new question. This was a problem in New Testament days. When Timothy stayed in Ephesus to help the new believers mature, he came face to face with men who wanted to be teachers and spiritual leaders in the church. Paul commended those who wanted to lead. “It is a fine work he desires to do,” wrote the apostle (I Timothy 3:1). “But,” he implied, “make sure he is a certain kind of person.” Titus, too, faced this problem in Crete (Titus 1:5).

The two passages in the Apostle Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus form a powerful profile for testing a believers maturity level (I Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:1-10). The following is a combined list of these qualifications:

      1. Above reproach                                                11. Not pugnacious

      2. Devout                                                              12. Uncontentious

      3. Temperate                                                        13. Gentle

      4. Prudent                                                            14. Free from the love of money

      5. Respectable                                                      15. One who manages his own household well

      6. Hospitable                                                        16. A good reputation with those outside the church

      7. Not quick tempered                                        17. Love what is good

      8. Not self-willed                                                 18. Just

The Apostle Paul got beyond generalizations to those specific characteristics that are marks of a mature believer. Here is a person who has matured through a process of spiritual growth and development over a period of time. He has learned to reflect Jesus Christ in his total life style.

It is certainly implied that this person “has put off the old man” and “put on the new.” He has abandoned those attitudes and behavioral patterns that were connected with his former life style, and has adopted those attitudes and behavioral patterns that are Christ like. But it is also obvious that this has been the result of a process of becoming more and more conformed to the image of Christ.

You will note that in this entire list there is no reference to spiritual gifts. The Apostle Paul did not say look for a person with spiritual gifts. In fact, there is very little reference to an ability or a skill. Rather, out of the twenty qualifications listed, nineteen have to do with a person’s reputation, ethics, morality, temperament, habits, and spiritual and psychological maturity. And the other one has to do with his ability to lead his own family.

Some Christians have the idea that they have to discover their spiritual gifts before they can begin in the ministry. Unfortunately, this is putting the cart before the horse. The Bible teaches that we must begin by maturing in our character. We must make sure we have developed the qualities that are specified by the Apostle Paul.

We should all set as a goal for our lives the development of the characteristics specified by the Apostle Paul. It is relatively easy to evaluate a believers fitness to work for the Lord on the basis of academic criteria. He may have many talents and skills, but not basic qualifications. The Lord would rather have a person who is qualified spiritually and psychologically than one who has lots of skill and is yet carnal. A believer who has the qualities set forth by the Apostle Paul can quickly develop skills and use them for the glory of God. We need all the training we can get. But in all our training if we do not develop basic qualifications for spiritual maturity, we are certainly unprepared to be a disciple of God.

We have chosen these characteristics from I Timothy and Titus for the following reasons: First, they appear to be normative for Christian maturity. They are qualifications for people who desire to function in the ministry of the body of Christ.

The second reason for selecting these characteristics is that they appear to be qualities that every believer should strive for. These qualities should be our goals. A third reason for choosing these characteristics is because these qualities form a composite profile that is complete and comprehensive.

A mature believer dose not “suddenly appear.” It takes time, a process that is not complete until we are with Christ. But there is a definite level of maturity that is discernible, both by the individual who is evaluating his own life as well as those who associate with him. He is recognizable

“Where do I begin?” The answer is to take each of these characteristics, understand what it means, and then set up each one as a goal for your life. Then proceed moment by moment and day by day to become the mature believer that God wants.