MATURITY: GROWING UP AND GOING ON IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE, by Sinclair B. Ferguson

A Brief Book Summary from Books At a Glance

by Steve West

 

Table of Contents

Introduction

1. The Importance of Maturity
2. Symptoms of Decay
3. Abiding in Christ
4. Full Assurance
5. Clear Guidance
6. The Problem of Sin
7. Overcoming Temptation
8. Fighting the Enemy
9. Coping with Suffering
10. Serving Faithfully
11. Running Patiently
12. Living Maturely

 

Summary

 

Chapter 1: The Importance of Maturity

One of the deepest concerns of the NT is that believers grow in spiritual maturity. Paul wrote that he labored “to present everyone mature in Christ” (Col. 1:28-29). Unfortunately, we also see that many in the NT were immature and not growing as they ought. Maturity cannot happen overnight: it takes years of discipleship to develop. Our society does not encourage this kind of long-term discipline. Some churches are not very serious about spiritual growth, and some fail to provide the kind of teaching that allows Christians to become complete or “perfect” in their faith. Yet, Scripture teaches that we are to be made full or complete in our faith; we are to lack nothing and show the fruit of the Spirit. Growing to maturity is not optional for believers. We must grow because Christ grew into perfect maturity (according to Hebrews) and we are called to imitate him.

Paul often called the churches to leave childish things and to become mature in their thinking and living. Rather than using spiritual gifts in love, the Corinthians were boasting about them and acting like children. In Philippians, Paul called the believers to imitate Christ as mature disciples, straining ahead for progress and forgetting the past. Mature believers are ones who continue to move on and move forward. Paul writes to the Ephesians that God gives gifts and leaders to the church so that the entire church can grow up and become strong and mature. In Colossians 1:29 Paul uses vocabulary that express the energy and agony of his striving to present believers mature in Christ. Followers of Jesus must pursue maturity because we are bound to follow the example of Christ, and we are under his lordship.

 

Chapter 2: Symptoms of Decay

Maturity is a central goal in the NT, but immaturity is a real and serious danger. Spiritual immaturity hinders believers and can cause significant harm to the church. Hebrews contains strong exhortations about spiritual health. The author of Hebrews calls us to focus on Christ, fixing our eyes, heart, and mind on him. Immature people are tossed by the world and follow their own instincts and desires. It is essential that we develop spiritual focus rather than follow our changing feelings. We naturally pursue our interests, so our heart must be set on Christ if we are to grow. The recipients of Hebrews were immature in their appetites, craving milk rather than solid food. They were hindered by indulging in things that did not edify them (even though they may not have been inherently sinful). More seriously, they were also entangled with certain sins. We are to give up everything in our lives that does not help us in our Christian walk or edify us. This requires spiritual discernment, since it is not simply a matter of identifying something as inherently good or evil. Discernment is developed through engagement with Scripture, prayer, and fellowship. The habits we sow form our character, and our character forms the outcome of our lives. Those who are spiritually mature are growing in their worship of God, experiencing his presence in their praise. Hebrews reveals that if we persist for too long in immaturity we may fall into apostasy, and thus show that we were never truly converted in the first place. When Peter denied Jesus, he wept, repented, and went to Christ. This is another way we grow in maturity. . . .

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