Am I a mature Christian

How should I know if I am becoming mature in my Christian life? 

Being a Christian does not end with accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. It is just the beginning of our journey to follow Him. 

Once we received Him, we became like infants, needing care and attention to grow.

The more we grow, the more we learn how to please God. Becoming a Christian is difficult and tedious because there are many rules to obey. 

However, the more we mature, the more we enjoy our lives with Christ.

Signs that you are a mature Christian

Ephesians 4:13 says, “Until we all reach unity in the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

Becoming mature in Christ is more important than any success this world could offer. Thus, we should focus more on growing spiritually than toiling for material possessions here. 

Here are some signs of maturing as Christians to determine where we are in our journey.

Prayer becomes a habit

One indication that you are a mature Christian is that you cannot continue your day without prayer. As growing Christians, we always seek God first as we wake up. 

Although making prayer part of our habit is challenging, once you are a mature Christian, you will try hard to be self-disciplined and talk to God before doing any tasks.

Additionally, you enjoy communicating with our Heavenly Father as you learn more about His greatness and faithfulness. 

Being accountable

Mature Christians are not manipulative and do not blame others for their sins. We know we are growing in our faith when we stop checking out the sins of others and focus on confessing and repenting of our own sins.

We are not better than others because we are like anyone else who is a sinner and is only forgiven because of God’s grace and mercy. 

Also, we are mature Christians when we stop being watchdogs for others’ transgressions and carefully obey God’s commands.

Moreover, as we grow in our Christian lives, we become more accountable for our own shortcomings and focus on overcoming our weaknesses and temptations.

Loves discipline

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.” - Proverbs 12:1 

As we start our journey in Christ, some behaviors and attitudes must be corrected. God refines and disciplines those He loves for us not to be harmed and for our own benefit. 

Mature Christians accept corrections and discipline from God through the people He has given authority to, such as pastors, elders, and church leaders. 

However, you should evaluate your heart if you still struggle and resist discipline.

More so, the growth of Christians is based on how willing they are to obey God’s command, even if it is against their will. You are not always right, and we need the discipline to know what we need to change to win God’s favor.

Giving as obedience to God

You would know that you are maturing when you see giving your tithes and offerings as a kind of obedience and worship to God. Those who are immature think that the church or the pastor is getting their money. 

However, once we understand and accept the truth about tithing, we become more than willing to give what is due to the Lord. 

Besides, mature Christians do not think they lose something when giving to God. 

Instead, they are excited to experience what God has prepared for their faithfulness in giving. They know that God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7), so they are willing to give more. 

Jesus above yourself

Are you thinking more of Jesus instead of your own desires? Then, you are a mature Christian.

Immature Christians focus more on their feelings than what Jesus would do in that situation. As we have received Him as our Lord and Savior, we no longer live for ourselves but for Jesus. 

2 Corinthians 5:15 says, “And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”

It could be challenging to always choose Jesus over ourselves. Still, the better we get, the more we try. 

God does not expect us to perfect it overnight but appreciates it when we try our best to consider Him before ourselves. 

For instance, you know you are growing when you choose to forgive those who hurt you instead of resenting them or following the “cancel culture.”

Trials as blessings

The Bible says we should rejoice in our suffering because it produces perseverance, character, and hope. (Romans 5:3-4)

We could think that our sufferings are the curse of God, but mature Christians still choose to trust and rejoice amidst their trials. 

You will know you are growing when you still choose to praise God despite your situation's difficulties. 

Moreover, a growing Christian under trials would still believe that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

On the contrary, immature Christians see trials differently and tend to blame God for what they are experiencing. 

Still, as we discover God’s words, we will know how to trust Him even when we do not understand all His reasons.

Share salvation

As we have received the greatest gift we could ever have- the gift of salvation, we should share it with everyone. 

We are saved and have discovered Jesus Christ because of the people who are generous enough to share it with us. 

Furthermore, we are saved for a purpose. We ought to share the gospel with others. 

God did not just choose you to attend church every Sunday and sit and listen, but also to become witnesses of the good news.

Matthew 28:19-20 says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Mature Christians would be glad to share what we have received and teach others about what we have learned.

Others see Jesus in you

More than our words, we live by example. People may not be persuaded by what we tell them, but when they see our transformation, it will be our best way to share the Gospel.

The way we speak and react to circumstances determines our maturity as Christians. Do people see Jesus in us when we treat and speak to others?

Are we living like Jesus Christ in our homes, workplaces, schools, and everywhere else? Mature Christians do not show off, are not self-righteous, and live humbly.

Strive for maturity

We may not be completely mature in our Christian lives, but it is never too late to fix our eyes on Jesus and work hard to grow in our faith.

Let us not waste the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross and make every effort to become mature. 

Although we will experience a lot of struggles as we strive for maturity, we need to remember that we are not alone.

God is with us, and our labor in pleasing Him will not be in vain.