120 Markers of Maturity

In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he tells this group of believers he had never met that he was agonizing in prayer for them. Why? What was he praying for so fervently?

He was praying for their growth – their maturity in Christ.

In the opening verses of chapter 2, he lists some of the characteristics of the person who is growing and maturing in Christ.  These “Markers of Maturity” can serve as a basis for your own personal inventory of growth. 

Paul’s first goal is for them to be “encouraged in heart.” The word used here can often mean “comfort.”  In this case, however, it is best translated “strengthen”. We might use the word…

1.     Resilience

The ability to bounce back when knocked down. The capacity to keep going when others might give up.

What’s your resiliency quotient these days? Are you growing in your capacity to bounce back? 

Secondly, Paul says that real maturity is evident when a person is united in love.  The second marker, then, is…

2.     Unity

Jesus knew that love and unity, so rare in the world at large, would be one of the best (or worst) testimonies of His power to transform lives.  

What’s your unity quotient these days? 

How fiercely do you fight for peace? When breakdown takes place, how determined are you to rebuild?  Will you make the extra effort, go the extra mile, pay the extra price to maintain unity? 

3.     Knowledge

Knowledge is understanding what is true and acting in light of that.

The greatest source of knowledge we have is found in God’s Word.

What’s your knowledge quotient these days?       

Are you growing in your understanding of God’s truth?  Are you maturing in your grasp of biblical principles?  Or are you, by and large, biblically illiterate …and at risk of deception?

4.     Wisdom

I read this great definition of wisdom: “Wisdom is to be able to say and do the right thing at the right time in the right way for the right reason.”

Wisdom is ultimately found in Jesus. It involves gaining the heart and mind of Christ – thinking like Jesus would, understanding like Jesus would, responding like Jesus would.  This is maturity.

One of the ways you can know if you’re growing in wisdom is that you find yourself fouling up less. Immaturity is displayed when you keep making the same mistakes, being defeated by the same sin, living with the same stream of regret.

What’s your wisdom quotient these days?

5.     Gratitude

Ingratitude - as seen in thanklessness, grumbling, or discontentment - carries all sorts of challenges to maturity.  But being thankful defuses things such as envy, jealousy, greed, ambition, etc. 

 What’s your gratitude quotient these days?

Do you find yourself complaining more or less lately? Do you find yourself largely content these days or always wanting more? Do you find yourself celebrating all that is or grumbling about all that isn’t?

Text: Colossians 1:28-2:7

Originally recorded on January 21, 2018, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN.